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Experience Day Gifts

Experience Versus Gifts

How many of you remember the gifts you had when you were a child? Think about it. Eighteen Christmases, eighteen birthdays and everything in between. How many ‘just because’ presents did you get? How many presents did you receive from aunties, uncles and grandparents?

Chances are you remember very little about the items you received.

A chance conversation with my kids revealed to me that they remember very little about their presents. The fortune I spent on Cabbage Patch Dolls, He-man figures, Star Wars paraphernalia, the millions of matchbox cars, all the drawing and painting gear, the Tupperware boxes filled with Lego, have disappeared into the recesses of their memories along with my dwindling fortune!!!

By the same token, they remember very vividly the experiences we had. They all remember taking their bikes and packed lunch and going out for the day, going down a dusty, dirty track, they even remember who nearly fell off their bikes. They remember the day we went to spend the day in Dover, a cold, dismal day, where I nearly lost the car keys in the sea.

This tale reveals that giving somebody an experience will leave them with a lasting memory. Whereas a gift will only have a momentary effect. Our workshops are unforgettable experiences, not just that, they provide our students with a real and repeatable skill.

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Candle Making with Jo On The Road

We were joined by Jo from Experience Days recently.

Plenty of giggles were had and a great array of candles made.

Check out what Jo had to say about her day with us.

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Best Skin Care Products?

Try Food for Healthy Skin

Healthy glowing skin requires a commitment to a regular skin care regime. But where can you find the best skin care products? Olay? Garnier? Neutrogena?

The skincare market has been saturated by big commercial companies selling us the latest products with the latest developments for our skin to look healthier and younger. Take a look at the ingredients on the label on skin care products - what starts off being natural has so many other ingredients added to it in order to maintain a longer shelf life and does not enhance the product in any way.

So where can you find the best skin care products that give you fantastic healthy glowing skin? Look no further than your own kitchen cupboards and fridges...

The list of food for healthy skin is as long as my arm so I have picked a few of my favourites:

BANANAS

The humble banana has so many health benefits - they are a natural source of Iron, Folic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin as well as Vitamins A, B and C.

Bananas are great for the skin - mash up the pulp and add honey for a natural rejuvenating face mask that smooths the skin and helps erase wrinkles.

LEMON

Lemons can be used in many versatile ways from helping with your skin complexion and smoothing skin to itchy scalps and teeth whitening.

PAPAYA

Don't underestimate this exotic fruit - they are high in vitamins for healthy skin. Papayas contain Vitamin C and the flesh is very high in Vitamin A. Papaya can help digestion as well as being used as a component in face creams and shampoos.

OATMEAL

Many people swear by oatmeal as a natural remedy to acne. One easy recipe is to cook up some of the stuff, let cool until lukewarm, then apply to the affected areas. Let stand for several minutes, then rinse.

Home made face mask

CUCUMBER

Cucumber can create wonders for your skin. One of the most popular uses (other than in salads of course) is to place sliced cucumber on the eyes to reduce puffiness, but it is the best natural remedy for treating spots and scars on the skin. With its hydrating properties, cucumber acts as the most effective moisturiser for your skin. Cucumbers can be used as a cleanser, toner, moisturiser and as one of the best treatments for acne prone skin.

Don't forget the next time you go fruit and veg shopping - add some extra bananas, lemons, papayas, cucumber and oatmeal to your list! If your skin could talk - it would thank you.

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Christmas Ideas - don't know what to buy?

Looking for unique Christmas gifts this year?

Is it me, or is it getting more difficult to buy great personal gifts for the ones we love? There are loads of the run-of-the-mill toiletry sets (which don't seem to get any better or different), loads of quirky non-functional gifts, and the typical type pressies that just aren't very exciting.

Need inspirational Christmas ideas?

With just a few weeks left, I can see stress levels rising in the local shopping centres. The bewildered look of 'What should I buy my wife, girlfriend or partner?' is on the rise as Christmas approaches.

Help needed

Don't get me wrong, there are some fantastic gifts out there but they seem to cost an arm and a leg - which frankly, many people are not willing to part with.

Many of us are in financial difficulty but we obviously don't want to skimp on great presents for our family and friends. Are you looking for alternative personal gifts that say 'I'm classy and great quality' but don't cost the Earth?

Make your own natural body products

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Natural Lip Balm Containing:

Olive Oil, Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Honey and Apple fragrance.

Good for those chapped lips during the cold winter days :)

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Ever thought of making candles?

Seashell Candles - A Quick Tutorial

Tired of the same old candles? Looking for an alternative decorative candle? Need new candle making ideas? These candles will bring a summer glow to your home no matter what the season and can easily be made at home.

In just a few simple steps, you'll be able to re-create these seashell candles...

You will need:

A good sized shell (washed and dried).

Soy wax (1 cup to begin with - if you need more then increase the amount.

Container wick.

Double-sided sticky tape or glue gun.

Candle fragrance.

The 'how to' part:

1) Make sure your seashell is clean.

2) Prop your shell up against another shell or fill a small dish with some sand or earth and place your shell in it. Ensuree your shell is as straight as possible.

3) Attach your wick (with sustainer) to the centre of the shell with either double-sided sticky tape or a hot glue gun.

Stick the wick to the shell

4) Melt the soy wax in a pot (not one used for food obviously) and add 1-2 drops of your chosen scent.

5) Mix well

6) Hold your wick in place and carefully pour the wax in to the shell leaving approximately 1cm at the top clear.

Leave 1cm at the top

7) Leave to cool and set completely before lighting your candle.

8) Enjoy the atmosphere!

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Baby Bathing Uncovered

Natural Baby Products

It seems ironic that products which carry warning labels with a 'skull and crossbones' to show the potential danger of the ingredients, are still commonly used in personal care products such as shampoos, soaps, cosmetics and possibly the scariest of all...baby bath products.

The human skin is the largest organ in the body and must have proper nutrition. We should be just as concerned about what goes on our skin as what we eat and drink. Take a look at your toiletries from body cream and shampoo to toothpaste and conditioner -  you will be amazed at how few natural ingredients are in them.

One of the most commonly used ingredients in such products is mineral oil.

So,what is mineral oil? It is a clear, liquid oil with no scent and will not spoil. It is produced as a byproduct of the distillation of petroleum  from crude oil. So far it's not sounding too good, is it?

Mineral oil is leftover liquid, and because it is abundant, it is very inexpensive. So,why would large commercial companies look for an alternative to such a cheap product that people generally don't question? It is, after all,  cheaper for these companies to buy mineral oil than to dispose of it.

Commonly seen in many households

So, do you like the sound of smothering and clogging your pores with petroleum? Me neither. Then, why on earth is it found in so many baby products? Baby oil, Vaseline (petroleum jelly), baby wash liquid soap, and baby lotions all contain mineral oil as a key ingredient.

Despite labels carrying such reassuring claims as "extra gentle" and "safe for baby's delicate skin," dozens of top-selling children's bath care products contain mineral oil that clogs pores and steals essential vitamins that your baby's body needs.

It's time to educate ourselves on the dangers of many of these products not just for ourselves but for our children too. Look for alternatives or better still - make your own natural baby products.

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Benefits of Patchouli Oil

What are the benefits of Patchouli Oil?

Patchouli essential oil has an exotic, heavy, musky scent that is frequently used in perfumes, potpourri, incense and massage oils.

Patchouli oil benefits include skincare, medicinal uses, treating stress and anxiety, etc. It has antibacterial, anti fungal, antiseptic and antiviral properties.

Patchouli oil can be used in a variety of ways including the well-being of your mind, body and spirit.

This is a really versatile oil that has many uses and benefits:

It works as an antidepressant. It helps to relieve stress and controls depression and anxiety. To help enhance your mood you could burn a few drops of the oil in an aromatherapy burner or adding no more than ten drops to a warm bath.

It has an amazing fragrance. Patchouli blends well with other essential oils like sandalwood, rose, jasmine, myrrh and citrus.

The oil is used in massage as well. It is a perfect base oil in aromatherapy. Using this oil for massage can help ease depression and relieve problems like dermatitis.

The oil has anti-aging properties. It is a great skin care product that helps control aging of your skin, keeping it young and healthy. It helps in healing wounds, prevents acne and scars. It is a perfect skin care product for dry skin and wrinkles.

It is beneficial in curing general health problems like cough, nausea, colds, headaches, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. This oil treats the infection causing fever. It helps increase appetite, boosts our immune system and fights infections.

There are many diverse essential oils out there and we will be exploring more of them and their uses in the near future.

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How to make a natural body scrub

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Our kids workshops offer amazing value for money and great FUN!  if your looking for activities in london for kids or something for the kids to do in the holidays then look no further!

http://www.lumieredelondres.com/lumiereworkshops/thekidsworkshop.html

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Found this Lego candle on-line. Very quirky

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Oudh (Agarwood) scented candles

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Wax for candle making - how do I choose?

WAX FOR CANDLE MAKING

WHAT TYPE SHOULD I USE AND FOR WHAT?

Don't stress out and don't get overwhelmed. There is so much to learn about making candles. So where do you start...?

One of the first choices you'll make when making a handmade candle is which wax to use.

Nowadays there is a huge choice of wax for candle making. Some wax is natural; some synthetic; some a bit of both, and each has its own individual qualities.

Some people will prefer one to the other but if you’re like me then try to experiment with all of the different types of candle wax. The potential is huge. They all make great candles...just in different ways.

PARAFFIN WAX

Paraffin wax is one of the most versatile and most common waxes used today. This candle wax can be used to make tea lights, votives, pillar candles and even container candles (Just be sure to buy paraffin container candle wax).

Different types of paraffin wax candles

Green minded people might label this type of  wax for candle making as bad as it comes from petroleum but that fact does not make it automatically toxic!

We’ll be providing you with a list of suppliers at a later stage so watch this space.

SOY WAX

Soy wax is a relatively new wax...but it has proven to be very popular. With the demand for all natural candles growing, soy wax was developed in the early 1990s as an alternative to paraffin wax, and the natural, but expensive, beeswax. This comes somewhere between the two with regards to price.

Soy wax comes in a variety of blends and melting points, though the most common soy waxes are container candle blends. Many of the soy waxes are made from 100% soybean oil. Others are blended with other vegetable oils (like coconut) and waxes (like palm and beeswax.)

Just a point regarding colouring – you will generally achieve a ‘flat’ or pastel shade with soy wax and you will need to use a lot more colouring to get the colour you want. Don’t be afraid to experiment.

BEESWAX

Beeswax is probably the oldest candle making wax. Beeswax candles were even found in the pyramids.

Beeswax

As suggested by its name, beeswax is produced by bees as a byproduct of the honey making process. Because the wax is infused with honey during its creation, it naturally has a sweet fragrance that will vary slightly depending on what flowers or plants the bees have fed on. After it is harvested from the beehive, it is melted and filtered several times.

You can buy beeswax in blocks or slabs, like paraffin, in little pellets (pastilles) which melt very easily, or in pre-rolled sheets, which can be easily made into candles without any melting at all.

The choice is yours. Be sure to research candle making wax for more in-depth information.

Unleash your creativity and be sure to post up any pics of your candles.

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New to tumblr

We've recently taken up residence in our studio along the Thames Barrier in Greenwich. I absolutely love it - so many creative types from knicker making to artists and hat makers and so many more. Such a great bunch of people.

Been working on a new range (more details to come) as well as running candle making classes and beauty spa classes. Not sure how I managed to get in to both but am loving every day of teaching and making.

Check out www.lumieredelondres.com and let me know what you think.