Monday, 24 October 2022

New skincare products that are dreamy and ethical and just right for Christmas

These products are handmade in Oxford, the world-famous City of Dreaming Spires.

Sitaarah’s products are created and formulated employing only high quality sustainably-sourced organic and natural ingredients.

All are vegan, cruelty-free and contain no artificial colours or fragrances. So will make ideal Christmas gifts for the person in your life who loves skincare products.

Atiqa Rana, Sitaarah’s co-founder, said: “We’re all about making you feel good,  physically and mentally, which is why we choose the ingredients that go into our products so very carefully.

“Our products are effective and uncomplicated. The oils we use in each one balance each other perfectly and work in harmony with each other to produce maximum results for your skin and for your wellbeing.

“The aim with all our products is that they will lift your mood as well as leaving your skin feeling healthy, nourished and glowing.”

Sitaarah’s seven products are:

Radiance Face Oil

Golden Argan oil, with wholesome Rosehip Seed oil, packed full of vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants to rejuvenate your skin, combined with an uplifting essential oil blend of Juniper Berry, Rose Geranium and Lavender to produce a lightly reviving aroma. These essential oils have purifying, cleansing and invigorating properties. Easing tension and lifting your mood while leaving your skin radiant, vibrant and supple.

Vitality Body Oil

Golden Argan oil and indulgent Sweet Almond oil, rich in vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids to nourish and soften your skin, combined with an uplifting essential oil blend of Lemongrass, Juniper Berry, Patchouli and Rose Damascena to produce a wonderfully fresh citrus fragrance. These essential oils have invigorating, rejuvenating and stimulating properties. Cleansing, detoxifying and tightening the skin, leaving it feeling supple, glowing and healthy.

Vitality Body Scrub

Made from an exfoliating base of finely ground pink Himalayan salt crystals, containing over 80 minerals and trace elements vital to the health of your skin. The salt crystals are drenched in a blend of golden Argan oil and indulgent Sweet Almond oil, rich in vitamins, nutrients and fatty acids to nourish and soften your skin. Then uplifting Lemongrass, Juniper Berry, Patchouli and Rose Damascena essential oils to produce a wonderfully fresh citrus fragrance. This combination of salt and oils with invigorating, rejuvenating and detoxifying properties will soften, nourish and polish your skin. Leaving it feeling supple and glowing, while encouraging good circulation.

Tranquility Body Oil

Golden Argan oil and silky Coconut oil, full of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to soothe and enrich your skin, combined with a calming essential oil blend of Lavender, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood to produce a gently warm and heady aroma. These essential oils have relaxing, balancing and harmonising properties. Nourishing, regenerating and toning your skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth and radiant.

Tranquility Body Scrub

Made from an exfoliating base of finely ground pink Himalayan salt crystals, containing over 80 minerals and trace elements vital to the health of your skin. The salt crystals are lightly moistened with a blend of golden Argan oil and silky Coconut oil, full of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to soothe and enrich your skin. Then calming Lavender, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang and Sandalwood essential oils produce a gently warm and heady aroma. This combination of salt and oils with relaxing, balancing and harmonising properties will soften, nourish and polish your skin. Leaving it smooth and radiant, while encouraging good circulation.

Uplifting Bath Salts

Restorative pink Himalayan salt crystals, containing over 80 minerals and trace elements vital to the health of your skin, including zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium, infused with an energising essential oil blend of Rose Geranium, Juniper Berry and Lavender to produce a fresh, floral, reviving aroma. This combination of salt and oils with cleansing and invigorating properties will give you a gently uplifting and aromatic bath. Energising your body and reviving your senses while nourishing, softening and regenerating your skin.

Soothing Bath Salts

Restorative pink Himalayan salt crystals, containing over 80 minerals and trace elements vital to the health of your skin, including zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium, infused with a relaxing essential oil blend of Patchouli, Lavender, Palmarosa and Sandalwood to produce a warm, earthy, sweet-scented fragrance. This combination of salt and oils with grounding and harmonising properties will give you a wonderfully soothing and aromatic bath. Easing your body and calming your senses while nourishing, softening and regenerating your skin.

Sitaarah was set up by Atiqa and Justin. Atiqa has decades of experience working in the spa and skincare industry, of running a company and formulating gorgeous products and treatments. Justin’s background is in documentary film making, with a particular emphasis on human rights.

The name Sitaarah means ‘star’ or ‘destiny’ in the ancient languages of southern and western Asia.

In order to maintain the highest standards of quality Sitaarah makes all of its products in-house with no outsourcing of manufacturing. This ensures that we control exactly what goes into our products and how they are made.

Sitaarah also provides a bespoke product development service for customers who wish to offer products and spa treatments under their own brand. We are currently developing a range of bespoke skincare products for a menopause clinic in London’s Harley Street.

You can check them out here https://sitaarah.com.

The Unexpected. An ideal Christmas present for the believers in your life

It's always nice to be able to seek out a perfect Christmas present for the believing Christians in your life.

Now you don't have to continue your the search because The Unexpected is here.

It's a new book by former top sports champion Iona Rossely and it draws on forty real-life experiences to empower and strengthen faith.

The Unexpected: A 40-day devotional for living with unexpected times is a practical guide on how to live in unexpected and changing, challenging times, written by former international sporting champion, Iona Rossely.  

This new publication is a continuation of her compelling story from artist, to speed skier, to endurance horse racer to author, as outlined in her previous autobiographical book, Racing on Empty (2020).

Walking us through a series of her personal experiences as Covid-19 hit worldwide, Iona’s devotional offers a roadmap for how to live with uncertainty by handing our tomorrows to God. 

Finding herself separated from her husband by lockdown regulations for the best part of a year, Iona remained living on their farm in Northern New South Wales, Australia, an experience that inspired her to write The Unexpected. 

Their home is also host to a unique gathering called Prayer, Praise and Pecan, a one-of-a-kind outdoor farm church, where she has witnessed many incredible stories which she weaves into The Unexpected.

In Racing on Empty, Iona shares her story which began in the high-octane world of competitive skiing. Iona excelled first as a ski instructor and then as a representative for Great Britain in speed skiing, securing the titles of 1986 Ladies British Overseas Champion and New Zealand Ladies Champion. 

A remarkable recovery from a life-threatening fall at 160kmph while speed skiing led Iona into a brief encounter with Jesus, but it was only when she hit rock bottom some years later as a member of the Irish equestrian team that she truly surrendered her life to God. 

Reflecting on her new devotional, Iona says, “My aim with this devotional guide is to help readers know that whatever the world throws at them, God has them firmly under His protection. Walking a supernatural life during turmoil is possible, when we trust in God, a path I am always learning. 

"When you hand Him control of your life, your journey takes on a new and exciting turn – don’t miss out on what God has planned for you. I hope this book will relate to many who may be asking the same questions.”

The Unexpected is available now in the UK to order from all good bookshops and online stores including Amazon UK, Eden, Waterstones, WH Smith and Blackwell’s.

To find out more about The Unexpected and Prayer, Praise and Pecan outdoor farm church go to http://www.ionarossely.com.


Happy Hour Without the Hangover Mocktails and Must-Try Cocktails With Boo Chi Kombucha

Kombucha is the beverage of choice for the health-conscious amongst us, but did you know, it also tastes great with alcohol, or jazzed up to create a delicious mocktail? It's great with booze, and it's great without booze, too!

A healthy cocktail is something we can all get behind and enjoy, so we can ditch the higher-calorie drinks and use kombucha to mix your cocktails and your mocktails. 

This superb modern mixer that's slightly effervescent, low in sugar and naturally contains probiotics and healthy organic acids is full of goodness and low in calories, too.

What is it? Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage that may have many health benefits, from fighting winter colds to helping maintain a healthy digestive tract.

As kombucha is the star of the show, it's worth sourcing the very best and Boo Chi kombucha is Soil Association certified and brewed in small batches in the heart of the Devon countryside.  Order online at www.boochi.co.uk.

There's nothing difficult or complicated about making Boo Chi kombucha cocktails and mocktails. If you just follow these instructions using Boo Chi kombucha and you'll have a tipple worth raising a glass to!

How to make a Boo Chi kombucha cocktails and mocktails

Boojito – Low and No

Ingredients

300ml Boo Chi – Fresh Mint to Revive 

60ml white rum (any brand)

Juice of 1 lime

Small handful mint leaves, plus extra sprig to serve

Method

Muddle the lime juice, and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go – you can use the end of a rolling pin for this. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice.

Pour over the rum, stirring with a long-handled spoon. Top up with Boo Chi fresh mint to revive garnish with mint and serve.


The Original - Go For It" – Low and No 

Ingredients 

300ml Boo Chi – Original to Balance 

50ml Vodka (any brand)

Squeeze of Lemon Juice

Selection of Fresh Berries (recommend blueberries, strawberries and pomegranate)

Method 

Fill a highball glass or other large cocktail glass with crushed ice 

Pour in vodka and a squeeze of lemon juice and stir

Pour the original kombucha over the top and garnish with a selection of fresh berries


Ginger Thistle – Low and No

Ingredients

200ml Boo Chi - Fresh Ginger to Reignite

50ml vodka (any brand)

Squeeze of fresh orange

Handful of crushed ice

Garnish with a slice of fresh ginger

Method

Mix together the ginger kombucha, vodka, orange juice, and crushed ice. 

Add all ingredients to a tall glass (high ball) and garnish with a slice of fresh ginger and glass straw to serve.


Strawberry Negroni – Low and No

Ingredients

125ml Boo Chi – Fresh Strawberry to Revive

50ml Gin (any brand)

25ml Campari

10ml lemon juice

Strawberry/Lemon Wedge to garnish

Method

In a large glass mix together the gin, Campari and lemon juice, add ice cubes and pour fresh strawberry kombucha over the top gently stirring as you go.  Garnish with a lemon slice/wedge and one fresh strawberry.


Ginsing Mezcal – Low and No

Ingredients

150ml Boo Chi – Korean Ginseng to Boost

50ml Mezcal (any brand)

1 grapefruit and lime juice

½ tsp honey or agave (any brand)

Coarse Salt

Lime to garnish

Method

First squeeze both the grapefruit and lime juice into a shaker and mix together, then add the mezcal and honey or agave, add one ice cube and shake until cold. 

Rim the glass with salt and add one ice cube to the glass (this isn't necessary if you don't want to pour over ice)

Pour in the mescal and top up with Korean ginseng kombucha

Garnish with any herbs and a lime slice


Original spice – Low and No

Ingredients

300ml Boo Chi – Original to Balance

50ml Vodka (any brand)

Squeeze fresh orange 

2-4 drops orange bitters

Orange slice and cinnamon stick, for garnish

Method

Fill a highball glass or other large cocktail glass with crushed ice

Pour in freshly squeezed orange juice, vodka and stir

Top off with the original kombucha, a few drops of the bitters, and garnish the glass with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.

 

Turmeric Fizz – Low and No

Ingredients

300ml Boo Chi – Turmeric to Brighten

50ml Gin (we would recommend spiced Ophir)

Slice of orange and ginger to garnish

Method

Fill a highball glass or other large cocktail glass with crushed ice

Pour the spiced gin and also the kombucha directly into the glass and stir

Garnish with orange


Boo Chi Kombucha's Mixed Pack (12 bottles £38)

Boo Chi Kombucha's mixed pack contains 12 bottles of delicious and refreshing organic drinks, each made with Soil Association certified products.

Boo Chi Kombucha is a premium organic product brewed in small batches in the heart of the West Country of England, rural Devon to be precise. 

It's a tonic filled with goodness delivering good bacteria, vitamins and enzymes for a happy, healthy gut. It tastes delicious, has incredible health benefits and is certain to spread feelings of wellness and vitality, so it's an ideal drink for the Christmas and New Year party season.

Boo Chi Kombucha is naturally low in sugar with organic herbs and spices adding flavour, and it's patiently brewed to reach perfect pH levels for optimum taste and health balance.

After drinking it helps give a feeling of energy, lightness and brightness and is renowned as a natural elixir.

Boo Chi Kombucha is the perfect non-alcoholic alternative offering that is low in sugar and calories but has a wonderful taste.

The Boo Chi Kombucha range offers six different brews, each slightly different depending on the music that has been played.


Order online at www.boochi.co.uk



Saturday, 22 October 2022

Luxury Dog Collars And Dog and Cat Beds For Christmas from SNUGBUMS

These are premium quality leather and jet black hair on hide dog collars. They are beautifully finished with solid brass hardware with their signature Logo on the pebbled leather keeper and foil gold embossed logo on the inside. 

These soft leather collars really do make a huge statement and come in a variety of sizes:

 XS - 28cm - 35cm £35

S - 35cm - 42cm £40

M - 39cm - 48cm £45

L - 48cm - 57cm £50

Their luxury leather dog collars are hand made in the UK using the finest leather crafting materials. The collars have a soft Nubuck leather lining with their logo gold embossed into the hide. 

The hair on hide is extremely durable and easy to keep clean. The brass hardware can be polished up for a high shine whenever you feel it need a little extra sparkle.

Also available from SNUGBUMS are Posh Pets at CHRISTMAS;

Luxury faux fur pet beds with removable covers and waterproof inners entirely made in the UK.

Give your furry friend the very best SNUGBUMS  has to offer with one of the finest dog beds available today. The classic donut pet bed has had a serious upgrade.

Representing the height of style and comfort, see them relax into a sumptuous and dreamy nights sleep in this deep filled premium pet bed. The extra padded sides make this the best pet bed for anxiety, so your dogs and cats can snooze peacefully.

For sustainable luxury, the Black Beauty is entirely sourced and produced in the UK. The luxury brown faux fur pet bed has removable covers and wipeable waterproof inners for fresh, clean easy maintenance, so that every nap is as special as the first. 

Your pets will thank you later!

SIZES

Small 43cm x 15cm (24cm inner cushion) £95 Tea Cup Yorkies, Chihuahuas and small cats

Medium 65cm x 25cm (35cm inner cushion) £135 Larger cats, Terriers, Pugs, Frenchies, Cavapoos

Large 85cm x 35cm (50cm inner cushion) £195 Spaniels, Labs, Dalmatians, English Buldogs

For stockist details call 07854383489 or visit www.snugbums.co.uk.

Maldon Salt Sloe Gin Pomegranate Fizz

Serves: 2 people 

Ingredients:

100ml sloe gin

75ml pomegranate juice

25ml lemon juice

40ml sugar syrup

2 egg whites

50ml champagne 

Method:

1. Place the sloe gin, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white in a shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Then add ice to the shaker and shake again for 30 seconds until it feels cold. 

2. Strain into the coupe glass and then top with champagne. The egg white fill form on top. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and some pomegranate seeds. 

We believe that this is an absolutely deal Christmas period Fizz drink. And if need to make it for more than two people, That's Christmas suggests increasing the stated ingredients to provide more fizz for your guests. It might make a lovely cocktail jug, perhaps? 

New Christmas Crackers with candles are here

Launched just this week, these crackers have been flying off the shelves, even in October!

The launch collection contains 4 designs, which are all intended to make your Christmas table look fabulous.⁠

Eco and vegan friendly, recyclable, and with plastic free gifts, sure, but the even best bit? ⁠Inside each one is a luxury scented candle, a different candle for each guest. Candles in a Cracker? Yes. Dreams DO come true!

There are four stunning designs in the first collection. 

The Butterfly Christmas Crackers, The Christmas Wreath Crackers, The Christmas Lady Crackers and The Christmas Jewels- each illustrated by Chase and Wonder Founders, David & Faye Aspinall, with the aim of creating a elegant element to your place setting

£55 for a box of six.

Contains Luxury Scented Candles

https://www.chaseandwonder.com/collections/christmas-crackers.

Affiliate networking, available please ask!

Chase and Wonder have been making delightful luxury gifts since 2010. All of their products are proudly Made in Great Britain, and all illustrations are created by the Founders, David & Faye Aspinall.

They're a small, vibrant company that values the quality of their products and customer service above al else.

They were at the forefront of creating decorative ceramic candles (since 2016), and were the first company in the world to introduce refills for their candles.

They're based in a converted cowshed in Rural England, Cheshire to be exact, where they design and create, as well as distribute their own fantastic products.

01829 732913 | www.chaseandwonder.com.



Send your loved ones the gift of a Penguin this Christmas

Say it with a penguin this Christmas, courtesy of  Lizbet Felt Creations

Lizbet says: "They are now available in my Crafter's Market UK shop. It's a gorgeous needle felted penguin, which is totally handmade in Shropshire with a lots of love."

Lizbet went on to explain: "Penguins are my bestsellers, so I just had to make a festive edition of them! 

"And I hope you think the Santa hat is a cute addition.

"The colour of the heart can be changed. I can also add an initial to the heart, if required.

"If you want me to add some twine to make this into a hanging decoration, just ask.

​"I must stress that no two penguins are the same, making them a truly unique gift."

https://www.crafters.market/shop/lizbetfeltcreations.