Monday 22 February 2016

Making Soap.


We had a great day out at our local market on Sunday.
I had new soaps out and ready to go.


Here is a few of the new ones for 2016

Green tea and Lavender ..
Green tea has anti-bacterial benefits as well as being high in Vitim C,  We drink green tea so why not add it to our soap for health benefits. Lavender essential oil helps to alleviate stress and headaches.
With this combination this soap will leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

 
Lavender and Green tea.
Orange essential oil has been used for centuries as a treatment for acne, the scent of Orange oil also has a calming effect similar to Lavender. I thought I would mix all 3 together and what a great soap to start or finish your day with.

Lavender, Green tea and Orange.

I sometimes get asked if my soap will last as long as store bought soap?
Good question..Most commercially made soap is made using Palm oil and tallow predominantly these help to make a hard soap.
I use Coconut oil as my base which also gives a hard soap, coconut oil is softer on your skin, not to mention the benefits...which would be another whole blog post. My soap does not leave that fatty feel as commercial soap does. I also use Olive oil, rice bran, sweet almond, Castor and macadamia oils as well as shea butter.
My soaps are left 6 weeks minimum to cure as this also helps them to last longer.




Orange
 My handmade cold pressed soap is made right here on our farm, we are not a large factory churning out bar after bar of soap. Each batch I make  is thought out using the finest ingredients on hand.
We sell here at our on farm shop and at local markets...
When you buy my handmade soap you are buying local and allowing me to continue to do a craft that I love..

Sandalwood

 Sandalwood soap...I am so happy with this soap, being a old hippy at heart Sandalwood is my absolute favorite scent...To make this soap that I feel smells as good as some of the imported soaps has been a triumph for me. The pure sandalwood powder is grown in Western Australia.


 Sandalwood has long been known for its effects on the mind and soul. Its not surprising it is used in aromatherapy to offer relief from stress, anxiety and depression.

Benefits in soap is.....Makes the skin supple, soothes the skin, Fights body odor and has anti-bacterial properties.
Whats not to like about this soap..


I am continuing to experiment with oils, powders and scents to bring you the finest soaps...If you have any suggestions feel free to leave a comment....

Have a great week...
Mandy

Saturday 13 February 2016

A Country Wedding....

If there one thing I love to do and that is decorate....
and when it is for my daughters wedding..........even more so.




The brief
A country wedding in our local hall.

Wedding was a day time wedding 11:30 for ceremony and 2:30 for reception.


Well we took this old Hall and made it shine...I must admit I have done this Hall a few times for weddings, so trying to make it different was a challenge.


Logs cut to hold simple jars of baby's breath down the isle.  Some hessian as a runner down the centre ...This was a surprise for the bride as Cassie really wanted a runner.




We put bales of hay for the bridal party to sit on as it was a hot day.
This worked out so well. 

Love the fact that Abby got a bit hungry and got some biscuits to share....




So it was very simple and
 the Bride and Groom took centre stage.





The reception was at another local hall over in the next valley.
As there was 135 guests we needed a larger hall.

Before

Cassie wanted logs as center pieces on the table so that is where the whole theme evolved from.


Loved the name holders as little cowboy boots. They were also a gift for the guests to take home.
Again the flowers were very simple..


 As the reception was at 2:30pm Cassie chose to have a high tea...But she still wanted every one seated.
We choose to have each table set up with the high tea individually.


 It was a lot of work and yes we needed so many more cake stands for the tables....But it was a great way of doing it.



Yes even a log for the cake stand....



 Every thing was perfect 



I could enjoying doing this full time......



Mandy