Cautious Vanilla

Closing a Door

2010-12-22T13:34:00.000-08:00

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

Radox to the Rescue!

2010-12-16T03:33:00.000-08:00

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

Tips for Mature Skin

2010-08-22T13:50:00.000-07:00

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:

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.

Love

Cautious Vanilla

Tea Tree Alternative

2010-07-28T05:56:00.000-07:00

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

Wall Woman

2010-07-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

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.

A Bed of Nails for 2010

2010-07-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

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.

A Natural Deodorant

2010-07-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

How do crystal deodorants work?

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.

Connect with the Goddess Within

2010-07-05T05:20:00.000-07:00

I've been involved in feminist politics for some years but I'm looking for something more. Can you recommend any non-patriarchal spiritual paths I could try, please?

You're not alone in looking for alternatives to traditional religions; the new age movement has been gathering momentum since the 1960s, and particularly since the beginning of the new Millennium. Wicca might appeal to you, but my first thought was that you may wish to start with an exploration of the Divine Feminine.

From Gaia to the Virgin Mary, there are examples of a feminine Divine Being in cultures all over the world. In connecting with this divine goddess, we examine our own spiritual essence, as well as the shadow aspect of ourselves. "There's a focus upon nurturing, compassion and finding a balance to our souls", says Suzanne Corbie, who is a writer and teacher of Wicca and the Divine Feminine.

As you learn more about the numerous goddesses, you will tend to find that one goddess speaks to you more than her counterparts. Working in this field, we learn to become the goddess we resonate with.

I would suggest that you go slowly with this type of work, and, rather than launching yourself into a particular spiritual group, I would begin your journey on your own. That way, you can pace yourself, do plenty of research, work out what you are comfortable with, and not be influenced by other individuals (there is dogma in all religion!).

I recommend you start with a CD recording like Goddess Workshop. Suzanne Corbie's simple and accessible exercises combine with guided visualisation to take the listener on an inspiring and empowering journey to meet with goddesses such as Artemis and Aphrodite. The workshop recording includes several steps you can take to bring the Goddess into your life, at a level that fits with you and your lifestyle, as well as affirmations and powerful meditations. The meditation to connect with the Goddess of Love is especially moving and the CD is worth it for this track alone. Suzanne keeps you grounded and encourages you to take your time, so that you are not overwhelmed and can learn according to your needs (you can listen to the whole CD or select the tracks that appeal to you most). As well is this guide to developing the Goddess in you, Paradise Music has produced a number of Workshop CDs, so have a look and see what feels right for where you are.

Wishing you well, whatever path you choose

Love

Cautious Vanilla

2010-06-28T12:44:00.001-07:00

Help! Clear my skin!

2010-06-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

I'm in my thirties and really fed up with my skin. I thought acne would leave me alone once I'd finished puberty but I still get frequent breakouts. I've heard that drinking milk can help clear acne. Is this true?

It might be Praventin that you've heard of - it is a natural ingredient derived from milk, which has been proven to help people achieve a clearer complexion by enhancing the body’s natural defences. Praventin limits the growth of acne bacteria, reduces the blemishes associated with acne and assists in the repair of damaged skin cells caused by blemishes. Clinical research has shown that people with acne-prone skin who add 200g of Praventin to their daily diet noticed a median reduction of 71% in blemishes by week four and a staggering 95% median reduction by week eight.

Although Praventin can be found in milk, the beneficial skin clearing effect is only activated when this bioactive protein is extracted from the milk. This means that drinking litres of milk is not going to deliver the same benefit. An easy and effective solution is to take a sachet of a new product called help: clear skin twice a day to get the required measured dosage of Lactoferrin.

help: clear skin uses the power of nature and science to tackle the problem of acne. This innovative nutraceutical product is designed to bridge the gap between nutrition and pharmaceutical drugs, incorporating the best of both worlds: natural ingredients with clinically proven health benefits.

Praventin – the key ingredient in help: clear skin - is rich in Lactoferrin, known to reduce the development of bacteria responsible for many skin impurities. In addition, Lactoferrin also helps to prevent blemishes and spots forming due to its antimicrobial effect.

help: clear skin is water-soluble, so it can dissolve in water, other non-carbonated beverages and soft foods while retaining its full effectiveness. It won’t alter the taste or texture of your drink or food. (I have tried it, and it doesn't). Take a sachet twice a day – just add it to your favourite drink or soft food - for a minimum of six weeks for best possible results.

You can find help: clear skin at Asda, Tesco, Waitrose and Holland & Barrett stores and online at www.workswithwater.co.uk, priced at £14.79 and £49.99 for a week’s or month’s supply (month’s supply only available via website). After six weeks, you should notice a real improvement; if not, you might need to try something on prescription, so make an appointment to see your GP.

Love from

Cautious Vanilla

Leave nothing but footprints (not carbon footprints)

2010-06-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

What's the easiest way to offset my carbon footprint?

There are numerous ways to offset your carbon footprint, but none perhaps quite so simple as growing a tree.

Try a Silver Birch in a bag, from Holistic World . This compact pack, which is less than a foot square, has 100% compostable packaging and contains everything you need to start a silver birch tree off on your windowsill within the bag, including comprehensive instructions and Soil Association Certified ‘Peat Free’ compost.

Once the sapling is 20-30" tall, you just place the tree in its compostable packaging in a small hole in your garden or a secluded public area, away from other trees and shrubs. The packaging will be absorbed back into the earth and the tree will grow and help offset your carbon footprint.

Happy growing!

Love Cautious Vanilla

Massage Bar

2010-06-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

I've been given a massage bar as a present and, while it smells lovely, I'm not sure I'm using it right. Do you rub these bars directly onto your body? Help! I'm clueless!

Fear not, you are not alone in being confused when faced with massage bars. I bought one from a well known high street store several months ago and it was only when this Butter Me Baby one arrived through the post that I noticed from the instructions I'd been getting it wrong!

Most Massage Bars, like this one by Bomb Cosmetics, are made almost entirely of moisturising Cocoa Butter that will melt at body temperature. Hold the bar in your hand for a short while and allow it to melt slightly. Place the bar in a safe place, preferably on something that you don't mind getting a bit oily - like a soap dish - and work the oils into your skin.

If you fancy trying a new bar, I do recommend Butter Me Baby. Described by my children as "like birthday cake" (may I stress, they didn't eat it), it has a floral/fruity fragrance with top notes of Blackcurrant and Blood Orange, a Ginger Blossom and Freesia heart, and a musky vanilla undertone. Best of all, it is sprinkled with sparkly glitter!

A growing gift

2010-06-16T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am looking for a present I can post to my grandchildren, who have just moved to France. They are 6 and 8, and like the outdoors, so will love their new big garden.

Pocket Gardens are easy to pack up and post, and don't require any gardening equipment. Suitable for ages 5+, each pack contains everything you need to grow plants from seed, including full instructions and peat-free compost.

Each pack comes with a detachable recipe that children can try making with their harvested produce, for example Pea, Chicken & Pesto pasta, with the "Grow My First Garden Peas" pack (pictured here).

Another nice touch is that the front of the pocket garden pack can be coloured in by the children before they start planting. The range includes carrots, strawberries and sunflowers and is available at Holistic World.

It's a good way to support healthy eating for children and will be a nice reminder of the UK, which, incidentally, is where this product is made. Perhaps you can join them in France for the harvest!

Love

Cautious Vanilla

Skin deep

2010-06-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

My GP has diagnosed my daughter with eczema and has prescribed a soap substitute and a bath cream. But the shampoo we're using, although mild, is still irritating her skin. Can you recommend an alternative?

The first one that springs to mind is Elena's Nature Collection. I recently tried their Trinity Soap and Shampoo on my kids and was very impressed. Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, Trinity is a unique and therapeutic liquid soap/shampoo. It has been specially created by Elena, a nurse and skin specialist, to soothe and repair itchy inflamed skin.

With essentials oils of Chamomile, Tea Tree. Frankincense, Lavender and Geranium, it smells divine and is suitable for all types of hair. I found it eased my son's cradle cap, and, apparently, it deters nits.

Elena recommends eczema sufferers shower instead of bathing, but if this is impossible, she suggests a quick, shallow, warm (not hot) bath with six drops of essential oil of Lavender plus two tbsps of milk.

She suggests parents try to make using Elena's Nature Collection fun; it often helps if Mummy is also using the products. Let your daughter put them on you first, and call them Magic Creams. She also suggests you keep children's fingernails short to reduce the impact of scratching; try to file them every day, preferably when they are tired. I cut my children's nails in the bath because they can't run off anywhere then!

Elena's products are available on the National Health Service - ask for a GP Pack to give to your doctor - and she has special offers for first time buyers. You can email her at elena@elenascollection.co.uk

Love

Cautious Vanilla

Learning while earning

2010-06-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

I'm really keen to change career but I will need to retrain to do that. I can't afford to give up my job in order to go to college; is there anything you can suggest?

You've probably already considered distance learning, e-courses and night classes. If you're concerned about cost, you may be eligible for a Career Development Loan - avaialable for courses up to £8,000. You can get more details at Lifelong Learning. The Open University has put togehter a free resource designed to help educate people out of the recession. Open University gives access to free educational resources, tips for getting jobs and advice about getting financial help to pay course fees.

From April this year, employees have the right to request unpaid time off to undertake study or learning. At the moment this only applies to employers with 250+ workers, but from April 2011, it will apply to all employees.

Enjoy your learning journey.

Love

Cautious Vanilla

Not Enough Hands!

2010-05-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

The school run is becoming a real challenge every day since my daughter no longer wants to sit in the buggy. She is 4 in December, so I can understand it, and she's a good walker, but the problem is that there's nowhere to put everything if I haven't got the buggy. My older daughter has all her school stuff, then there's a change of clothes for my younger one who's at nursery, plus coats, and I need to hold their hands too. I'm not an octupus! Any suggestions?

A shopping trolley is worth considering if you don't mind getting a few funny looks from unenlightened souls. You can fit just about all you need for the school run, it's waterproof, and they don't just come in tarten these days.

I feel quite jaunty with mine, from marketeer. It has an eyecatching apple design, with a zip pocket for your handbag and even a place for your shopping list, and is easy-wheeling; I hold my son's hand and he holds my daughter's hand - it's worked so far.

I'm not freecycling the buggy yet, just in case my son is ill or the weather's really terrible, but in the mean time, lots of mumfriends have said what a good idea it is, so perhaps there'll be more on the mean streets of Bilton before long.

Expect to pay about £20+, some are more like £60 simply because they're Italian, but keep an eye out on ebay, and watch out, there are still some truly garish patterns around!

Love
Cautious Vanilla

Emotional eating

2010-04-17T10:18:00.000-07:00

Since my kids left home, I've found myself more and more lonely and bored in the evenings. I keep raiding the fridge when I feel sad, to comfort myself, and I've put on weight. Now I'm feeling self-conscious and nervous about meeting people and doing new things. Is there anything I can do to stop myself comfort-eating like this?

I wonder if some kind of counselling might be of help to you, or whether there is a local support group that could benefit you. If you haven't had a word with your GP, it might be a plan.

It's really easy for me to say: take up a new hobby, join a choir, start a night class, but I know that's hard to do when your self-esteem is low.

There is a new product available in the UK which may help your emotional eating issue. The Bach Emotional Eating Kit is a set of three 10ml flower essences to give a helping hand with diet and healthy living regimes. You can create your own individual combination of natural flower essences:
Crab Apple - can help you accept yourself and your imperfections. None of us is perfect. Self-acceptance means you'll be less likely to rely on food to boost your morale.
Cherry Plum - to help you think and act rationally when you fear your good intentions might disappear
Chestnut Bud - to help you gain knowledge from your experience and learn from your diet mistakes, so you're less likely to return to your old bad habits like reaching for food when things get tough.

The essences are alcohol and additive-free, suitable for the whole family, and can be adapted and combined to suit your changing moods. They can be particulaly useful when used in combination with an awareness of your eating tiggers (mine are buffets!) Nelsons have developed a Comfort Eating Quiz to help you work out what your eating style is. For tips on comfort eating, click here

To purchase on Ebay, click here
Love
Cautious Vanilla

2010-04-08T12:46:00.000-07:00

My son's got really sensitive skin and, since he's been teething, his bottom's got ever so sore. I really want to soothe it but I daren't put the usual nappy creams on I used with my first baby - they make his skin flare up even more. Is there a cream you know of that's suitable?

If you're looking for gentle and natural skincare products, try milly & flossy, which is the sister company of myroo skincare, mentioned on a previous post.

Rachael, who lives in North Yorkshire, manufactures all her products by hand and in small batches to maintain quality. All milly & flossy's ingredients are natural, with no nasty chemicals, parabens, SLS or palm oil, so I think they are worth trying. They only use synthetics where they are unavoidable, for example to preserve, and all products are suitable from birth.

Rachael's in the middle of inventing a beautiful baby butter, which I've had a sneak preview of, and this would be ideal for sore bots. I have tried it on the dry patches of skin my son has, and it is so gentle, with no perfume, and a lovely texture like marshmallows. Keep a look out for this lovely product on the milly & flossy website - it's coming soon.

Love Cautious Vanilla

Unpink for girls

2010-03-30T02:56:00.000-07:00

My daughter is not a girly girl and as she grows up I am finding it more and more difficult to buy clothes that aren't pink and girly. It's her 5th birthday coming up and she's having a sleepover - can you suggest some present ideas for non-girly girls, please?

Snuggnightwear.com have a lovely range of nightwear for boys and girls, including a variety of "neutral" items. My daughter's favourite are the shaggy sheep slippers. As well as looking very sweet, these sheep-shaped slipprs have 100% cotton linings, soft fleece and suedette uppers and non-slip suede soles, so they are warm and comfortable. Although they feel just like real sheep they can be machine-washed and air-dried. Fantastically, they are hand-made in the UK and come in fully recyclable packaging. So that ticks the low air-miles and eco-friendly boxes. The shaggy sheep slippers my daughter has are for age 3-5 years, and they are so well made that I think they will last the duration. Once her feet are too big, I will be passing them on to her little brother.

Avoiding pink once again, Snuggnightwear has a lovely set of blue Amish-style jamas. The pyjama bottoms are blue checked, coupled with a hand-appliqued long-sleeved t-shirt-style top. Each pair comes with a heart embellished pyjama bag, which would be nice for a sleepover.

http://www.pinkstinks.co.uk/ is a campaign and social enterprise that challenges the culture of pink which invades every aspect of girls' lives; check out their website for actions and information. Hope this inspires you.

Love
Cautious Vanilla

2010-03-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

I've heard that there's a cream you can put on bruises and sprains - do you know of it?

Nelsons Arnicare cooling gel is maybe what you're thinking of. The newest addition to the Nelsons Arnicare range combines the natural healing properties of arnica with refreshing grapefruit oil and menthol to cool and soothe the skin; just right for red knees.

Bashed elbows, chins and knees are a daily occurence with my kids and it’s good to feel you can actually do something to soothe a bad knock.

You can also use the gel to ease achy muscles after being on your feet all day, or if you've overdone it at the gym.

Love Cautious Vanilla

Faking it

2010-03-19T04:47:00.000-07:00

I've wanted a tattoo for about ten years but I can't decide what design to have. I know a tattoo is for life so I don't want to pick the wrong design. Is there anything you can think of to help me decide?

It might be a plan to get some ideas from source books - like the one I've featured here -magazines, and friends with tattoos (just pick the right moment to ask, as some people can be quite sensitive about their tattoos in public). Or you can create your own design, and come up with unique body art that really means something to you as an individual.

In the meantime, a good alternative to a permanent tattoo is henna. The bonus of henna is that you can get body decoration without pain and with very little comittment. However, to create a traditional henna tattoo does require a lot of skill, practice and time.
Henna Penna could be what you're looking for. Curiosa of Sweden have created a pen filled with henna ink, enabling you to create your own designs, with or without a stencil, as an alternative to the commitment, time and pain of a traditional tattoo.
Henna pens are available in original (and longest-lasting) henna colour (rust-brown to red-brown, depending on your skin colour), ruby, emerald and jasper brown, so you can match your tattoo to your mood and clothes. Beautifully packaged, they are as quick and simple to use as fibre-tip pens, and contain no artificial additives colours or PPD.To allow higher precision when designing, the pen has a thin tip and a thick tip, and the tattoo can be made darker by reapplying colour regularly. For design ideas, search on the internet for free henna stencils or try Henna Tribe.

Love
Cautious Vanilla

Handmade treat for hands

2010-03-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

Since I became a mum my hands seem to have aged. They are really sore and chapped. I'm having to wash them a lot, what with nappy changing and weaning, and the usual housework. I've yet to find a really good brand that isn't tested on animals - do you know of any?

Not only is dry, chapped skin uncomfortable, undernourished skin can make your hands look older than they really are. Over the years I have tried a number of handcreams to try and combat the drying effects of wipes, washing-up liquid and Winter, and until now, Nivea Age Defying Q10 Plus was my favourite. However, I’ve recently been converted to Myroo Skincare’s Geranium Hand Treat.

Geranium? Musty greenhouses, the horse-racing on, a hot sunny windowsill at your Nan’s? I thought so too, until I tried it. Unlike the plant, the hand cream is not over-powering, and the geranium oil is wonderfully nourishing and good for poor circulation. It also contains Vitamin E to increase elasticity, reducing that unpleasant “tight” feeling, and acting as an anti-oxidant.

Rachel Dunseath of Myroo Skincare makes all her products by hand, using only the best natural ingredients: no phthalates, synthetics, SLS, palm oil or parabens at all. Rachel has created a brand which (as you can see below) looks good on show in the bathroom but also appeals to our ethical side; her shea butter is fairly traded and all her packaging is recyclable. Not only that but she’s Yorkshire-based and a mother of two, so she knows what it’s like to be a busy mum with not enough hands or time to pamper them!

Myroo's Geranium Hand Treat is so luxurious and intensive that a little goes a very long way. You just need a dab – much less than with any commercial creams I’ve tried- and it has a lovely buttery texture and colour. It goes on a little greasy, but rubs in well, and it doesn’t shout “GERANIUMS!” Last night I used it as an intensive repair treatment, put a bit extra cream on, slipped on cotton gloves and left overnight; I really noticed the difference when I woke up. It’s such a treat; handmade in the UK, divine-smelling and ethical!

Love
Cautious Vanilla

Too much imagination

2010-03-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

My 6 year-old daughter is getting really worked up at bedtime and keeps upsetting herself and worrying about things that wouldn't really bother her in the day-time. She's not having nightmares - it's before she actually drops off to sleep. She even gets upset about some of the stories she reads or things on telly, or she wants the light on. She is tired and needs her sleep; what can I do to help her switch off?

It could be that your daughter's imagination is working over time - seemingly trivial things can become very real to her. Children with this level of sensitivity can empathise very strongly with characters in books, for example, and feel like they are going through the plot of the book themselves."It's only a story!" just does not work. Watching a Disney film and getting frightened by the baddies; over-imaginative children know rationally that it isn't actually real, but it feels real. So a brush-off comment such as: "Don't be silly, no witches are going to come and get you!" rejects the over-imaginative child's strong feelings of fear. Instead the child will now feel misunderstood, belittled and still afraid of the witches.

If an over-imaginative child cannot trust her carers to take her worries seriously (and you will need to work out whether she is stalling for time or is really bothered about something), then she will have to face her fears on her own. This can result in high levels of anxiety.

One way of approaching a punishingly overactive imagination is to take steps to train it. Take the imagination in another direction instead of one which keeps your child awake and worrying. The technique of creative visualisation can help here, but you really do need to go into detail, guiding your child to imagine things which will comfort and relax her. It is not enough to say "Don't worry; think of something nice instead, like Christmas".

To meditatively guide your child's imagination, enabling her to visualise a sanctuary, a safe place, a magic pool etc., may not be something that will come easily to you, so I recommend you look into one of the many guided meditation CDs which are available. Your library should be able to find you some which are suitable for youngsters to listen to (some may be too complex or demanding).

A CD which I have just tried with my daughter is called "The Seashore", by Rachel & Charles Vald, and I highly recommend it. "The Seashore" can be thought of as very gentle guided meditation aiding a better night's sleep. My daughter and I listened to it together whilst lying next to each other on her bed, after bath-time. The CD, which is available from Hypnosis Healthcare LLP begins with simple relaxation exercises, then - the best bit - the guided story begins; building sand castles, riding on a boat, playing with dolphins and much more. It is recommended for children aged 4-11, but I think it would be a good idea to listen together with your child. I had to explain what "life jackets" are used for, for example, and I think my being there helped to ensure that my daughter carried on listening.

"This is really helping," my daughter whispered part-way through. "I can really imagine it. Tell the man I like the story," she added, drowsily. To stop the child waking up at the end of the CD they are told to use their imagination to create their own adventures with the characters they have met in the story, which allows them to drift off into a lovely dream and a better night's sleep with the gentle sound of ocean waves. My daughter was still awake at the end of the guided imagery but wanted to "keep the waves on", seemed very relaxed and happy, and enjoyed a good night's sleep.

Love
Cautious Vanilla

Green greetings

2010-03-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

I am not very arty, but I would like to send some hand-made cards this Easter. It would be great to buy some cards from a British designer rather than a big card store. Better still if they could be made out of recycled paper. Do you know of any greetings cards like this?

Little Brown Rabbit might just have the cards you seek. Hertfordshire-based Emma Talbot has been working as a designer in the UK since she graduated in 1997 but only recently took the plunge to fulfil her lifelong ambition and work for herself sellling her art. Hence, Little Brown Rabbit was born.

All of Emma’s cards are individually hand-made, using eco-friendly materials; the envelopes are recycled and even the cello bags protecting the cards are biodegradable. Emma also tries to use recycled boxes and envelopes to port out order, and hand-delivers when she can. Eco-materials have not meant that quality has been compromised in any way, however; Emma’s cards are crisply printed with beautiful little touches of glitter and other hand-finished elements. No bling or gushing sentiment here, just a great combination of cute and cool.

A lot of Emma’s inspiration comes from her pet rabbits and nature; my particular favourites are the Boys Like Bugs and Chiffchaff ranges, but the Sweetheart range has high darling factor, too. On the back of her cards it says “Hello! This card has been designed and hand finished with a smile by me, Emma Talbot”, which is a lovely personal touch, and it’s nice to be reminded that you are supporting a UK designer rather than a faceless corporation. Little Brown Rabbit’s cards have a real feel-good factor, not only because of their eco-credentials and beautiful designs, but also because you can tell that this is the work of a designer doing what she truly loves.

Love
Cautious Vanilla

Eternal Flame

2010-03-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

I'm a yoga teacher, and teach classes in a small studio several times a week. To create ambiance, I've always used joss sticks and candles, but one of the young women in my class has found that her asthma is aggravated by burning incense and joss sticks. I'm also very aware that there's a big risk with candles. What's the alternative?

Always wanting to support UK business, I've discovered Made by Zen, a company based in Manchester, which has created the truly modern answer to scented candles and oil burners, fulfilling your needs for light and fragrance whilst being completely safe. Instead of lighting a joss stick, it seems that the 21st Century thing to do is: switch on an Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser.

All you need is tap water, any essential oils, and a power point. Made By Zen Ultrasonic Aroma Diffusers create a very small carbon footprint by incorporating LEDs and a low power adapter.

One of Made by Zen's best-sellers is the Enso, which retails at around £40. You can use an essential oil to match the nature of your yoga class, and create the mood you want, relaxing, uplifting,comforting - whatever. Enso is ideal for aromatherapy as no heat source is required and hence the properties of the essential oils are maintained.

As no smoke is produced, only a fine, water mist, there are no health and safety issues, making the Enso ideal for meditation, tai chi or yoga. It acts as a mini humidifier and hydrates and moisturises without creating condensation; ideal in centrally heated or air-conditioned environments.

The Enso’s simple styling and white curved body fits well with any décor and setting; it's not too girly and adds a touch of zen to any room in your home, waiting room or studio. Its ionising capabilities means that "feel good" negative ions are dispersed into the air, and it provides a blue or white low-level light-source far safer than flickering candles.

Don't worry, it has an auto-shut-off mechanism which is triggered when the water falls below the required level. This makes the Enso safe to use even with young children around, so it would be fine for yoga with youngsters too.

If you're feeling broke but lucky, I've found a competition for you:Win an Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser from Made by Zen

Love
Cautious Vanilla

A bag for a shopaholic

2010-03-04T12:20:00.000-08:00

What I love is SHOPPING. And I'm looking for a really roomy bag I can take with me, so I can say no to plastic bags. But I still want it to be stylish and not that scratchy hessian stuff. Are there any reusable bags out there that look good as well as being good in the green sense?

The Be Beau range at Matalan had a lovely reusable bag in bright pink with a union jack motif and cool embellishments, if you like glitz and sparkle, for only £1, but I'm not sure if it still has them in stck. The problem with a lot of shopping bags is that they don't fold up small, so they are pretty bulky and awkward to carry when empty.

I've found the Foldaway Fizbag Big Shopper which seems like it'd be right up your street. It measures 45x40cm but folds down small enough to keep in a handbag . The fabric comes in five prints and is stong, lightweight and waterproof with a matt satin finish.

I chose the Shoe Heaven version, as it will go with anything. Although it would be great to fill with shoes, you can use the shopper for groceries, days out, and holidays, and it costs just £4.95.

Free business cards

2010-02-18T13:35:00.000-08:00

Q: I just started working for myself, having been made redundant before Christmas. Is there anywhere I can get free business cards to promote my services?

A: Congatulations, first of all, in taking the plunge and working for yourself. I have been self-employed for around two years and it was a good decision for me.

So far I have had free business cards from moo.com and from vistaprint. Order free business cards from vistaprint here (you can see the design I chose, left).You get 250 but you have to pay about £3.50 for postage and packing.

I got about ten free from moo, and I think they are superior quality, plus you can upload your photos or artwork to feature on your business cards, which makes them truly personal and unique to your business. Moo also do stickers, postcards, mini cards and have lots of cute designs for you to use, when you have more money to spend.

Wishing you all the best in your business venture.

Love
Cautious Vanilla

Magazine addict

2010-02-16T12:33:00.000-08:00

Q. Help! I am addicted to magazines! I buy loads every month and it's costing me a packet. What can I do to get my magazine fix, but for less £££?

A. Um, okay.

Firstle, you could visit the websites of your favourite magazines instead of buying them.

Also, you could swap magazines with a friend, look out for them on freecycle, read them in the library or buy them second-hand on ebay, carboots or charity shops.

It would save you money long-term if you subscribed to a few of your favourites. This is always a good idea for a birthday present. Sometimes you can win a subscription to a magazine if you write in and your letter gets published as the star letter. That happened to me with Prima magazine.

Finally, I have found a competition, giving you you the chance to win a FREE subscription to any magazine of your choice up to a value of £40. All you need to do is click on the link below and submit your details.The closing date is the last day of this month, and the winner will be drawn on the 1st of next month. You can enter the competition each month, and what's more you can submit 1 entry every day, giving up up to 31 chances to win.Click to win a magazine subscription

Love
Cautious Vanilla

Is there an alternative to Amazon?

2010-02-16T10:37:00.000-08:00

Q: I want to sell my old books on the internet but although I listed lots of paperbacks on amazon, I didn't get any interest. Is there an alternative site to try?

A: Green Metropolis is worth a look. To list books for sale, you have to register and open an account. This is quick, easy and costs nothing. Then select the ‘Sell a Book’ option. For each book you wish to sell you’ll need to enter the ISBN (that’s the book’s number on the back, next to the barcode), the condition of the book and if it’s a heavier book, select a Postage Payment. Unlike amazon, there are no charges or fees for listing books for sale.

Green Metropolis pay you £3.00 for every book sold (plus any postage payment if it’s a heavier book). All books on the site cost just £3.75 to buy, of which Green Metropolis pays £3.00 to the seller and 5p to the Woodland Trust. All books must meet the website's minimum condition rating of 'Acceptable'. As with amazon and ebay, sellers are rated and buyers can leave feedback.

Some of the books I've listed for sale are:
It Could Happen to You - Isla Dewar
Light That is Shining, A - Harvey Gillman
Mercy - Jodi Picoult
New Spend Less Revolution - Rebecca Ash
Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands - Laura Schlessinger
The Baby Whisperer - Tracy Hogg
The Wrecking Ball - Christiana Spens
Where Did it All Go Right? - Andrew Collins

Love, Cautious Vanilla

Welcome to Cautious Vanilla's Agony Aunt column

2010-02-06T03:17:00.001-08:00

Cautious Vanilla is an expert at solving problems and giving advice, so don't be shy. Contact her with your burning issue or dire dilemma and she will do her best to help.