I'm taking a break from blogging, gang. I'm finder it more difficult to justify the time that it takes, and it has become more of a burden than a pleasure.
After a nasty comment on one of my other blogs, I began to feel a little vulnerable, and perhaps it's now time to close some of the doors I have very publically opened.
It's been a journey of about two years and I hope you've enjoyed the view.
Thanks for reading,
Love
Cautious Vanilla
Wednesday, 22 December 2010
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Radox to the Rescue!
Most Christmases I’ve been caught out, present-wise, by someone giving me a gift I didn’t expect, and then feeling awful that I haven’t got anything for them in return. I want to avoid it this year – any ideas, please?
It’s always a good idea to have a few extra presents wrapped under the tree for occasions like this, but it’s quite difficult to find something that anyone and everyone would like. A nice box of chocolates or biscuits wouldn’t go amiss, but perhaps the best thing I’ve found is a Christmas gift set. The ones from Radox are particularly good – they’re all under £10 and are easy to wrap in a present “emergency”.
The Revive and Restore Gift Set is ideal, because it’s gender-neutral, from the packaging to the black pepper and ginseng ingredients. Everyone needs a bit of a pick me up at this time of year, and the Stimulate shower gel and Muscle Therapy bath soak are just what you need to gently soothe tired limbs after all that Christmas shopping! Stimulating for body and mind, a long shower or soak with these revitalising products will get you through the busiest of festivities. Just don’t be tempted to open the box and use the products yourself – remember it’s supposed to be a gift for someone else! Mind you, at only £5, maybe you can treat yourself to a bit of rejuvenation!
Love
Cautious Vanilla
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Tips for Mature Skin
Now I'm in my fifties, my skin's really giving my age away. I can't afford miracle products - can you give me any tips, please?
The Look Young Bible by Dr Marios Kyriasis is full of advice on how to maintain or regain a youthful appearance and it's available for £7.99 from Foulsham.
His most simple suggestions are outlined below, and they'd be a good starting point:
Cautious Vanilla
His most simple suggestions are outlined below, and they'd be a good starting point:
- Avoid using soap to cleanse your skin as it may leave your face feeling tight and dry. Instead, use a simple, unfragranced cream cleanser.
- Don't use toners containing alcohol, because that can dry the skin further.
- Unless you are over 100 years old, says Dr Kyriasis, keep using UV protection when you go out in the sun.
Cautious Vanilla
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Tea Tree Alternative
I know tea tree's a popular treatment for skin blemishes but I don't like the smell at all. Can you suggest another natural alternative?
You could try products containg extract of Witch hazel, as it is a natural ingredient with disinfectant properties. Using products such as Witch’s Oil Control Foaming Face Wash can reduce the bacteria on the skin, helping to prevent inflammation and the formation of acne.
When we think of tannin, we always associate it with tea, but witch hazel has a high tannin content too, which gives it astringent as well as antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help maintain normal skin renewal and encourage the natural cycle of skin replenishment. Astringency means that the product tightens the skin when applied which helps to reduce re-infection and inflammation. It closes damaged skin and therefore encourages healing. These astringent properties are cleansing to the skin, while minimizing the size of skin pores ,and combine well with tiny micro-granules in the Witch Gentle Exfoliating Face Wash, for a deep cleanse of your pores.
The Witch Blemish Pen, which is really handy and fits in your purse or pencil case, reduces irritation on skin and surface tissue by means of a numbing effect that it has when applied. Furthermore, it helps to prevent any further infection from occurring. Many acne treatments can irritate the skin, causing soreness, inflammation and dryness. Witch hazel and tea tree, being naturally occuring, are well suited for skincare products, because they don't disrupt the pH of the skin, which tends to cause irritation. Unlike many harsh commercial acne formulations, Witch wipes are gentle and non-drying when used to tone and cleanse acne-infected or acne-prone skin. Witch hazel offers a viable and natural alternative to tea tree.
love
Cautious Vanilla
You could try products containg extract of Witch hazel, as it is a natural ingredient with disinfectant properties. Using products such as Witch’s Oil Control Foaming Face Wash can reduce the bacteria on the skin, helping to prevent inflammation and the formation of acne.
When we think of tannin, we always associate it with tea, but witch hazel has a high tannin content too, which gives it astringent as well as antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help maintain normal skin renewal and encourage the natural cycle of skin replenishment. Astringency means that the product tightens the skin when applied which helps to reduce re-infection and inflammation. It closes damaged skin and therefore encourages healing. These astringent properties are cleansing to the skin, while minimizing the size of skin pores ,and combine well with tiny micro-granules in the Witch Gentle Exfoliating Face Wash, for a deep cleanse of your pores.
The Witch Blemish Pen, which is really handy and fits in your purse or pencil case, reduces irritation on skin and surface tissue by means of a numbing effect that it has when applied. Furthermore, it helps to prevent any further infection from occurring. Many acne treatments can irritate the skin, causing soreness, inflammation and dryness. Witch hazel and tea tree, being naturally occuring, are well suited for skincare products, because they don't disrupt the pH of the skin, which tends to cause irritation. Unlike many harsh commercial acne formulations, Witch wipes are gentle and non-drying when used to tone and cleanse acne-infected or acne-prone skin. Witch hazel offers a viable and natural alternative to tea tree.
love
Cautious Vanilla
Wednesday, 21 July 2010
Wall Woman
I recently ended a relationship and moved into a flat of my own. I'm wanting to put my personal touches to the decor but the landlord's not happy for me to re-decorate. Can you suggest any reasonably priced artwork - I fancy a change from my Ikea prints!
It's always satisfying to own an original piece of art and I'm happy to have found CalicoCow,a North Yorkshire business whose owner, Jane Prutton, creates quirky textile canvasses by hand. Jane's artwork can be customised and personalised to match the occasion - whether it be a new arrival, an anniversary or a wedding (or simply the decor). Visiting Jane's website is like browsing through a textile gallery, with the added bonus of being able to buy from your armchair.
The ALL GROWN UP range would be perfect for you. It's full of designs created using natural fabrics, hand-made felt, and lots of hand stitching, such as the popular Denim Teal canvas which has bleached denim flowers stitched onto to a background, and then individually-created felt flowers stitched onto them. Depending on the colours Jane wants, she uses wool felt or makes her own. Building up the colour matches and layers, combining hand- and machine-stitching is a labour of love, but it seems that Jane just has to create: "Most of my ideas are whirling around my head and I just have to try and get them out."
As well as the delicate nature-inspired wall panels in this range, my particular favourites are the corset wall canvasses. The tiny stitching, attention to detail, beautiful colour and fabric combinations, and bead embellishments which make up these unashamedly feminine creations make them a perfect addition to any boudoir. They deserve pride of place in your bedroom and are sure to help unleash your newfound freedom.
It's always satisfying to own an original piece of art and I'm happy to have found CalicoCow,a North Yorkshire business whose owner, Jane Prutton, creates quirky textile canvasses by hand. Jane's artwork can be customised and personalised to match the occasion - whether it be a new arrival, an anniversary or a wedding (or simply the decor). Visiting Jane's website is like browsing through a textile gallery, with the added bonus of being able to buy from your armchair.
As well as the delicate nature-inspired wall panels in this range, my particular favourites are the corset wall canvasses. The tiny stitching, attention to detail, beautiful colour and fabric combinations, and bead embellishments which make up these unashamedly feminine creations make them a perfect addition to any boudoir. They deserve pride of place in your bedroom and are sure to help unleash your newfound freedom.
Sunday, 18 July 2010
A Bed of Nails for 2010
I have suffered with back problems and stress for some time and I feel like I've tried everything. I saw on the internet that you can get special mats from Sweden which are supposed to give pain relief. Can you tell me any more about them?
It's the Acupressure mat you're thinking of. They're manufactured in Sweden but easy to get hold of in the UK by mail order. Essentially, it is a flexible mat covered with spikes, a bit like the Bed of Nails used in India for thousands of years.
Although the spikes cannot pierce or harm your skin in any way, you may initially find it a bit painful to lie on the mat. You can always place a towel over it to reduce the effect of the spikes to start with, and gradually build up usage over time. Fans of the Acupressure Mat often lie for 30-40 minutes at a time, most days, and have reported pain relief, relaxation and aid in getting to sleep. The spikes stimulate the release of endorphins - our feel-good hormones - which in turn gives comfort to aching, tied muscles and reduces tension.
You could try using the mat in the evening after a long day. When you first lie down on it, it should feel "nicely painful", and for the first three minutes you will really feel it. Then the pain gives way to a feeling of well-being, which is great for body and mind. Once your body is accustomed to the sensation, you may well find it very relaxing; some users meditate and even fall asleep whilst on the mat.
UK contacts for Acupressure Mats, Timo and Asa, can be contacted at their website http://www.acupressuremats.co.uk/ if you need further information.
It's the Acupressure mat you're thinking of. They're manufactured in Sweden but easy to get hold of in the UK by mail order. Essentially, it is a flexible mat covered with spikes, a bit like the Bed of Nails used in India for thousands of years.
Although the spikes cannot pierce or harm your skin in any way, you may initially find it a bit painful to lie on the mat. You can always place a towel over it to reduce the effect of the spikes to start with, and gradually build up usage over time. Fans of the Acupressure Mat often lie for 30-40 minutes at a time, most days, and have reported pain relief, relaxation and aid in getting to sleep. The spikes stimulate the release of endorphins - our feel-good hormones - which in turn gives comfort to aching, tied muscles and reduces tension.
You could try using the mat in the evening after a long day. When you first lie down on it, it should feel "nicely painful", and for the first three minutes you will really feel it. Then the pain gives way to a feeling of well-being, which is great for body and mind. Once your body is accustomed to the sensation, you may well find it very relaxing; some users meditate and even fall asleep whilst on the mat.
UK contacts for Acupressure Mats, Timo and Asa, can be contacted at their website http://www.acupressuremats.co.uk/ if you need further information.
Monday, 5 July 2010
A Natural Deodorant
Deodorant crystal bars like this one from Holistic World contain no chemical additives, are cruelty free, unscented and environmentally friendly. Unlike manufactured deodorants, these natural products are not anti-perspirants.
A Deo Crystal like this does not try to mask your body smell or stop the natural process or perspiration. Using the salt crystal when wet, it is rubbed on the areas you want to deodorise. The salt deposit stays on your skin, raising the PH level and preventing the bacteria that causes body odour from multiplying. Forming a highly alkaline environment that stops bacteria in its tracks, the salt on your skin reduces the moisture on the area where it has been applied.
Apart from the obvious environmental benefits, the Deo Crystal has minimum packaging (it sits on a sleek marble slab) and will also last for ages, thus saving you money in the long run.
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