Exciting... New Products, New Pricing!!

Well, finally everything’s in place. It’s been a rather intensive few weeks behind the Fresholi scenes.

Changes to Packaging & Restructuring

Restructuring prices and switching the packaging of some of our products over, from glass to HDPE bottles. This will help to absorb some of the impact of the impending price increases at Royal Mail, because HDPE is much lighter in weigh and far less fragile.

Of course, it goes without saying that essential oils will continue to be supplied in amber glass bottles, but of other materials, such as fragrance oils, lip balm flavours and some lipids, HDPE seems a sensible step to take to reduce the shipping costs to customers.

Just a quick note, unlike the glass bottles, the HDPE bottles will not have a dropper, as the affected materials were unable to be dispensed effectively through the orifice of the droppers, so these will be a simple screw cap that will make dispensing a little easier (which will save you the trouble of removing the dropper insert to get at the contents).

Streamlining & Simplifying

You will notice that some product, such as fragrance oils and lip balm flavours, will now have a standard price structure. This is to help keep things a little more streamline for us and the predictability is useful for customers who are planning their stock/future purchases when making site to site price comparisons and, for some ranges, they will no longer have to list individual products, simply a product range. Hopefully this is a positive move for us all.

Reductions Across The Whole Site

There have been price reductions across the whole site wherever it has been possible and I have also introduced bigger sizes for many products, to help make ordering Midi-Bulk easier. I am still working on adding bigger sizes, this will be an ongoing process, so bear with me.

New Products

Ooh… I am really excited to be adding a whole new range of products and this is only the first wave. There’s more to come. I thought it was time for Fresholi to explore its fun side with products that inspire a more colourful type of creativity. We are pleased to launch….

A new colour range... Concentrated water-soluble (skin-safe, food-safe) colourants, ideal for many M&P soaps, bath and body products.

Honey Powder... a luxuriously indulgent addition to soap, skin care, bath and body products.

Palm-Free Vegetable Glycerine... with its humectant qualities, it has invaluable functions in skin care emulsions.

Fragrance Oils... Previously, Fresholi only offered allergen-free fragrance oils, which are lovely, but the scent range can be limited. So for those wanting a little more excitement, I have introduced the first, standard fragrance oils in the collection for you to enjoy. I would, however, love to hear your suggestions on further lines that could be introduced – I am truly listening. Also, please do feel free to leave some product feedback (on the product pages of the site). It helps everyone.

Cosmetic Packaging... The first of a new range of packaging jars, pots and lip balm tubes.

Pay a visit to the New Products page at Fresholi....

Old Friends

I have brought back some old favourites, across the whole site and, in the next few weeks , there will be more as well as introducing more new products, so watch this space ;o)

Well, that’s it from me. I hope you enjoy all the new things that are taking place at Fresholi and please, feel free to leave a short product review or contact me if you have any suggestions on how Fresholi can improve things for you.

Happy Sunday!!

Venture Into Pastures New

There’s some exciting times ahead at Fresholi. I have always been expanding the available lines, with the introduction of this and that. It has worked well enough and the range has gradually increased over time.

However, I think it is time to step it up a gear and over the past few weeks, I have been investing a fair bit in Fresholi, so over the coming weeks, we’ll see lots of new products being added as we step into pastures new. Watch this space…..

On another note, as we all know, Royal Mail are putting up their prices. While we can’t get around that, what we can do is try to think of ways to ‘lighten the load’ so to speak.

Fresholi’s fragrance oils and lip balm flavour oils are normally supplied in glass bottles. Glass is heavy though. So for these materials, I will be switching to HDPE bottles. These are more lightweight and have the added advantage of being far less fragile and this will also negate the need for all the extra bubble wrap (which adds more weight/cost). Of course, it goes without saying that there will be no change to how Fresholi’s essential oils are packaged and they will continue to be supplied in amber, glass bottles.

There will also be a little restructuring of pricing of these materials. Not only will this help to streamline things a little bit, but it will also help Fresholi to absorb some of the rising costs without affecting the customer too much. Also, for some products, larger sizes will be available directly from the site – it will just make it easier for everyone I think.

Your suggestions for new products will always be welcome, so if you have any, I would love to hear them.

Until the next post, happy Easter to everyone and I will keep you posted x

Skin Bistro – Out Of The Blue…

What a lovely surprise! I received a lovely white box, tied with deep purple ribbon quite out of the blue from Skin Bistro. How lovely! It reminded me of those lovely cake boxes that contain those exquisite cupcakes.

Inside, nestled among a lovely deep purple was a kilner jar of Yogi’s Bath Salts, which looks fit for a king or queen. Containing Himalayan Pink salt with a sprinkling of rose petals and a blend of essential oils including lavender, frankincense and marjoram – lovely to induce deep relaxation and calm while soothing aching muscles. It smells divine!!


Also two bars of soap, one that has been hand-milled for gentleness and care of the face. This pretty, layered Rice Pudding Castille soap is rich in olive oil and also contains pink clay and ground rice, to gently cleanse. With essential oils of ylang and sandalwood, it has a rich and round aroma. This really is a most gentle and caring soap and while the skin feels lovely and clean, it doesn’t leave it feeling tight or dry.


The luscious Cupuacu soap, from the Amazonian Butters range, is unscented and has a most rich and lush lather, leaving the skin feeling calm and comfortable.


I think what is so unique about Skin Bistro is that a beautiful balance has been struck between keeping packaging minimal while still creating an enormous impact with presentation. The jar can be used again, the box will make an excellent keepsake box and the ribbon has already played its part in decorating a number of my daughter’s hairstyles.

I want to say a huge, enormous thank you to Andrea from Skin Bistro for my lovely, out-of-the-blue gift. I feel so honoured and I am very grateful. I absolutely love everything about the gift :o)

Visit Skin Bistro at http://victoriaregia.co.uk/shop.html

Love These.....

There is something I love about these gorgeous new soaps from Future Primitave. These really caught my eye as I was looking at the Future Primitive Blog and I just wanted to share them.



The colours, texture and the lush ingredients, including unrefined shea butter (Mmmmm), scented with sweet orange, cardamom, ylang and cedarwood are fantastically and cleverly combined to produce this beautiful soap. I particularly love the topping how the colours and textures merge. Beautful :o)

Spread The Love....

"Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination" Voltaire

Never a more fitting quote for these wonderful gifts for this time of year created by Fresholi members with natural ingredients, care and oodles of imagination (not fogetting a few special offers too).



From Briallen...

*Click the 'Go To February Offers' button and enter the codeword 'freshfeb' to get these products at very special prices!

Scrub Up For Spring!

In the old Celtic calendar February was the start of Spring, the time when lambs were born and twigs started to break into bud. So it’s not too early to start getting your skin ready to face the Spring sunshine (and looking good for that Valentine date).

Face the Morning



A refreshing facial pick-me-up with gentle exfoliation from the cardamon powder, ultra-fine Scottish oatmeal and golden caster sugar and the emolliant properties of babassu, coconut and jojoba oils which ensure that your skin will remain soft and smooth all day.

Jojoba resembles the skin's natural oil and is excellent in helping balance skin conditions, by assisting to counteract acne and black heads but also aiding very dry and irritated skins.
The fragrance is from Grapefruit Essential Oil and the Cardamon spice.

Plain lightweight jar:
Available in 2 sizes:

Normal Price £6.35. Offer Price £3. 95*
Min. weight: 150g

Normal Price £3.65 Offer Price £2.35*
Min. weight: 75g



Hey Mango!

This highly moisturising body scrub obtains its lovely colour from the Cornmeal and Mango powder exfoliants. Mango Butter and a blend of oils including Papaya Seed Oil are there to give your skin that pampered feeling.

Papaya Seed oil is high in Omega 6 and 9, Vitamins A & C and Potassium and is an easily absorbed conditioner for the skin as it contains the enzyme papain, which helps dissolve excess sebum and impurities while gently removing dead skin cells.

It can be used on oily or problem skin and is said to have antibiotic properties which may benefit skin irritations. The fragrance is from natural Mango and Lime essences.

Plain lightweight jar:
Available in 2 sizes:

Normal Price £6.35. Offer Price £3. 95*
Min. weight: 150g

Normal Price £3.65 Offer Price £2.35*
Min. weight: 75g


Karakorum

A vigorous salt-based scrub with Himalayan, Dead Sea and Atlantic salts in a base with Kokum Butter and Black Seed oil - a sumptuous and exotic scrub with a spicily fragrant blend of Essential Oils.

The Karakorum Highway between Pakistan and China is one of the world's most extreme highways and Black Seed (Kalonji) oil is recommended for muscle rubs, making this scrub eminently suitable as an after sports scrub. The oil is also said to to have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.


Kokum Butter is readily absorbed and helps to reduce the degeneration of skin cells and restore elasticity. The fragrance is a special blend of warm and spicy essential oils.

Plain lightweight jar:
Available in 2 sizes:

Normal Price £7.35. Offer Price £5.35*
Min. weight: 150g

Normal Price £4.14. Offer Price £3.12*
Min. weight: 75g



From Essentially Soaps..

This is a lovely gift to give to the one you love on Valentines day. It is a delightful pink jute tote bag (that can be used again & again) decorated with a fairy (decoration may vary) & the handles are held together with a red silk rose. £14.00

Contents include:

- A red heart.
- A 50ml bottle of Luxury facial cleanser enriched with vitamin E, Macadamia nut oil, castor oil, & sweet almond oil and fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose Geranium essential oil. This facial oil is for dry, sensitive or mature skin & is best applied in the evening before going to bed. Just massage a small amount over the face & neck, wet a cloth with hot water & gently remove you will find your face is smooth & clean.
- A 10ml roller bottle of eye serum/cleanser apply round the eyes then gently wipe away with soft cotton wool to remove make up before going to bed. It has jojoba oil, avocado oil & sweet almond oil enriched with vitamin E. It is suitable for all skin types.
- A Vitamin E enriched spearmint lip balm to help keep your lips soft & kissable.
- A soft cotton face flannel tied up with a maroon organza ribbon.



This is a lovely gift to give to the one you love on Valentines day. It is a delightful pink jute tote bag (that can be used again & again) decorated with a flower (decoration may vary) & the handles are held together with a blue peg with a jewel butterfly. £14.00

Contents include:

- A red heart.
- A lovely soft teddy bear (style may vary)
- A soft cotton face flannel tied up with a maroon organza ribbon with a white silk flower attached.
- A 50ml bottle of Luxury facial cleanser enriched with vitamin E, Macadamia nut oil, castor oil, & sweet almond oil and fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose Geranium essential oil. This facial oil is for dry, sensitive or mature skin & is best applied in the evening before going to bed. Just massage a small amount over the face & neck, wet a cloth with hot water & gently remove you will find your face is smooth & clean.
- A pink heart shaped moisturising hand made soap with Olive oil, Coconut oil, cocoa butter & sweet almond oil this soap will leave your skin feeling clean & soft. It is lightly fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose geranium.



This is a lovely glittery gold box the lid is decorated with gold glitter hearts. £14.00

A little note to add that unfortunately, this lovely gift box has now sold out

Contents include:

- A rose pink heart shaped moisturising hand made soap with Olive oil, Coconut oil, cocoa butter & sweet almond oil this soap will leave your skin feeling clean & soft. It is lightly fragranced with a blend of oils including Rose geranium.
- A body puff
- Four heart shape bath melts bath melts made with luxury skin loving butters, oils rose petals & fragranced with the finest geranium & lavender essential oils.
- A 100ml pot of luxury moisturising body butter made with Safflower oil, avocado butter, shea butter & cocoa butter. It is fragranced with a blend of essential oils including rose geranium but there are other fragrance available (look at the web site to see the full range). This is a lovely creamy whipped body butter which will melt when it comes in to contact with your skin & will massage in with out leaving it to greasy.




And some fantastic special offers exclusive to Fresholi from Natroma and The Natural Soapworks...

"In these tough financial times, at The Natural Soapworks we appreciate the need to save a few pennies this Valentine’s Day. So this year we’re offering special joint pampering gifts, created especially for couples – so you can still treat each other to a lovely night in without worrying so much about the cost. So why not choose one of our luxurious gift sets, and add some wine, soft music, candles…..and enjoy!"

The Natural Soapworks offers a wide range of luxurious goat’s milk soaps, bathing and skincare products. They have recently launched the NATROMA skincare range offering light but highly concentrated cream and lotion products, with botanically enriched formulations that provide lasting hydration and genuine skin care benefits.

"We have several Valentine’s gift sets, so please visit our websites for further details: www.naturalsoapworks.co.uk and www.natroma.co.uk "

For now, here are a few ideas to whet your appetite…
NATROMA OFFER - quote: ‘FRESH VAL’ in the coupon box at NATROMA checkout for a 10% Discount off your order

NATROMA

Fabulous Facials:

£21.50 The individual products would normally cost £23.95 - so this kit already enjoys a 10% discount with FREE gift wrapping. Use your extra Fresholi coupon and it comes to just £19.35!

This kit is presented in an elegant ivory box, decorated with red organza ribbon and heart decorations, and includes:

· His and Hers Facial Cleansers (2 x 25ml tubes)
· Chamomile Hydrolat Toner (50ml)
· His and Hers Clay Masks (2 x 20ml tubes)
· His and Hers Moisturisers (2 x 5ml pots)
· 2 x muslin cloths

This is a lovely way to treat your partner – give them a salon style facial! This is a special kit since it previews some of our new facial products for male customers! This kit comes will full instructions on how to use our lovely Natroma facial products, which are handmade with luxurious organic ingredients including: hydrolat flower waters, botanical oils, rosehip, echium and arctic cranberry botanical extracts, rhassoul clay (the fabulous spa clay which suits all skin types), D-panthenol and aloe vera. What better way to show you care?

THE NATURAL SOAPWORKS OFFER - Quote: ‘FRESH VAL’ in the notes box at the Paypal checkout and receive a free Valentine’s bath bomb with your order


The Natural Soapworks – In the Mood Kit: £9.95

This kit includes:

· Natural Soapworks Sensual Valentine’s Day soap (essential oils including: ylang ylang, rosewood and sandalwood) and a scrunchie.
· Heart shaped bath bomb with a luxurious blend of sensual essential oils (including ylang ylang, sandalwood and frankincense), with pretty botanical decorations. This year we’re making a variety of designs for Valentine’s Day - decorated with rose buds, enriched with organic rooibos tea, full of rose petals, marbled with powdered rose, or enriched with exotic Monoi de Tahiti. These are decadent bath bombs, and each one will be uniquely patterned….just perfect for sharing.

· Lips Silk – our fair trade cocoa and shea butter lip balm.
· His and Hers massage hearts - made with cocoa and shea butters, enriched with apricot kernel and coconut oils and featuring two luxurious sensuous blends – with sensual frankincense, patchouli and ylang ylang for her, and seductive sandalwood, vetiver and frankincense for him. They’ll melt in contact with the skin, so are perfect for a luxurious massage!

" This decadent kit will leave the skin feeling soft, delightfully scented….and well, the rest is up to your imagination! "

The Natural Soapworks – Valentine’s Soap 2009 £3.25

"Our rich and creamy Sensual goat’s milk soap, is a firm favourite with both sexes. It’s naturally coloured with turmeric and rosehips, and contains a sensual blend of essential oils including ylang ylang, rosewood, patchouli and sandalwood. It contains a luxurious blend of botanical oils including organic sustainable palm oil. We continue to promote the importance of responsibly sourcing palm oil, in support of Borneo Orangutan Survival – BOS UK. (Remember to watch Orangutan Diary 2 which will be screened by the BBC in March)."

Christmas Gift Ideas & Extra Special Offers!!

Christmas is such a lovely time of year but for most of us, it can be a stressful one too, not knowing what to buy for someone special. Nothing quite compares to something that has been lovingly handcrafted and a number of members from the Fresholi Community have come up trumps, each offering very individual and unique gift ideas at exceptionally good value for money.

PLUS!! Make extra savings!! Enjoy some great exclusive offers when you purchase these or any other products from any of the featured sites:


For the man in your life….

From Essentially Soaps, a gift bag for the Man who has everything.


A Jute Tote bag (No pink in sight) with a lovely gift tag and packed with lots of goodies includining:

- 60ml roller ball bottle
- Herbal sage aluminium free deodorant
- 50ml jar Moisturising Soothing Sandalwood aftershave cream
- 'Spice of life' hand made hand cut soap fragranced with Essentially Soap's 'Spice of Life' blendof essential oils.

Only £14.00 from Essentially Soaps

PLUS!! During the Christmas period, all Essentially Soaps' soaps are only £2.00, perfect for extra stocking fillers or just a treat for yourself!!

And from Maia Skin Care, Rose Petal Bath truffles

Wildly decadent nourishing rose petal bath truffles to pamper, soothe the skin and elevate the mind. Each truffle is enriched with all natural creamy cocoa butter and shea butter, pure essential oils and hand rolled in luxurious rose petals.

Feel like a queen surrounded in a warm bath of rose petals. Don't want petals floating in the bath? No worries, an organza bag is included! Six beautiful truffles nestled in tissue paper and presented in a gorgeous gold gift box with ribbon.

Only £12.95 from Maia Skin Care

PLUS! Get 15% discount by using the code 'FRESHMAS' (expires 21/12/08)

And finally, from Natroma and Natural Soapworks...

The Blue Lagoon Hamper - Just £17.95 (Note: with aqua ribbon in above picture)

A hamper featuring a lovely new soap called Blue Lagoon which contains Monoi de Tahiti and a blend of essential oils (think sweet with woody tones). The hamper also includes:

- Blue Lagoon bath bomb – it’s truly luxurious since it’s enriched with Monoi de Tahiti and the same essential oil blend as the soap.

- A brand new coconut and frangipani salt glow body scrub. This is a fine grain salt scrub with Monoi de Tahiti, odour retained coconut oil, nilotica shea butter, honey, D-Panthenol and Vitamin E. The odour is boosted with frangipani absolute .... so it’s a heavenly aroma that leaves the skin feeling silky.

- The final item in the hamper is special since it’s a preview of one of the 2009 Natroma balm products. It contains Nilotica shea and mango butters with ricebran and jojoba oils, odour retained coconut oil, squalane, and is further enriched with sea buckthorn and calendula botanical extracts. It’s completely natural, protected with both vitamin E and rosemary anti-oxidant.

Christmas Spice soap only £3.25 (a little bird say this one is selling fast, and once it’s gone, it's gone!)

Containing a blend of sweet essentail oils (palmarosa, ylang ylang, sweet orange) with a dash of cinnamon for a warm Christmassy fragrance.

It’s naturally coloured with paprika and a deep cinnamon swirl.NSW also have 2 other Christmas soaps this year – the ever popular Frankincense and Myrrh, and another new one called Gluwein (cloves, orange and cinnamon).

PLUS! Enjoy one of 3 GREAT OFFERS....

At The Natural Soapworks:

All orders will receive a free gift: Christmas Mini. This is 3 of NSW Christmas mini soaps (25g each) wrapped with a gold and cream ribbon. The retail value is £2.85.

But if you spend over £30, instead of the mini soaps you’ll be upgraded to the Blue Ballotin gift set (see piccie).

This is a lovely little gift box which contains: a pretty cup cake goat’s milk soap (decorated with petals/rose buds etc), a mini soap bar, a round snowflake bath bomb, and some bath melts (these contain cocoa/shea butters, odour retained coconut oil, sweet almond oil and a blend of essential oils). There are various fragrances in each box, and it has a retail value of £5.50.


The Natural Soapworks: quote NATFRESH in the Paypal notes box at the checkout to receive your gift.

Receive 10% discount at Natroma by quoting NATFRESH at the checkout for a 10% discount!

Natroma gift packaging

Natroma are using high quality blue coloured cardboard gift boxes which are decorated with foiled silver stars, finished off with an organza bow. Pictured here (left) is the facial starter kit, and includes the cleanser, toner and moisturizer with a muslin cloth for £24.50.

The Natroma range includes mainly organic ingredients, luxurious butters and oils and the cream products are enriched with D-Panthenol, squalane and numerous botanical extracts. Natroma products have a light skin-feel, but are very concentrated.

Organic Skin Care

I have been using a range of certified organic products from the triple award winning skincare company, Beyond.

Sea buckthorn features heavily throughout the range and Beyond are particularly interested in harnessing the unique properties of this wonder plant, since it “it is the only plant in the world known to include omega 3, 6, 7 & 9”. Beyond are proud to say their products “contain more than one hundred and ninety biologically active compounds”.

But what is it like to use? Well, I can say first hand that Beyond have created a range that is quite different. Despite their complexity at molecular level and the clever combining of biological actives, I feel it is a range that has been ‘stripped back’ and is a range that loses all the unnecessaries and ‘fluff’. I think Beyond have focussed most of their attention on really goes on at skin level and it is this that I think makes it a very different product to use.

A Closer Look…

The products I have been using include:

Rejuvenating Serum – An extremely concentrated oil-based serum that has a most powerful aromatic quality. The essential oils, combined with some pretty potent plant extracts, is constructed to deliver anti-oxidants, vitamins and bio-active compounds to work deep in the skin and help cellular regeneration (great for mature skins).

Verdict: As I said, a most lovely aroma and really only a few drops are needed to soften and comfort the skin and can be applied to all areas of the face and neck (including the delicate eye contour area).

I wore this underneath the moisturiser but I really don’t think you would actually need to moisturise if your skin is not particularly dry. Although initially I was applying it morning and night, I soon realised that I didn’t need it during the day, so used it only at night after cleansing.
Generally, the serum leave’s the skin soft and supple with a satin-like look and feel and lovely healthy glow.

Firming Eye Cream – This is a light, unfragranced cream, containing soothing eyebright (a fave in eye products because it is renowned for being helpful in reducing puffiness), anti-wrinkle rosehip and toning cornflower.

Verdict: The smallest, most teeny, weeny amount is needed and it really does cool and soothe the eye area and absorbs fantastically. It is really good to use in the morning as it really helps to give the eyes an ‘I’m awake!’ look.

Moisturising Day Cream – Containing a powerful combination of minerals, fatty acids and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 & E, this is a skin-loving preparation that has been designed to create a protective moisture barrier. It also contains soothing rose and cell regenerating seabuckthorn oil, so is a clever synergy ideal for sensitive, dry and mature skins.

Regenerating Night Cream – This award winning, incredibly rich cream contains cleverly blended bio-active compounds and is fortified with rosehip, seabuckthorn and macadamia nut oils. They works hard and in harmony with each other to help replenish and rebuild skin tissue.
Verdict: It is using the moisturisers that really demonstrates how Beyond strip back and get down to the real nitty gritty. This is no-fluff, extreme skin care.

Verdict: The moisturisers are different to apply and have a different skin feel. I have to honest, upon first application, they just didn’t behave like I expected a cream to. They were richer and, particularly true of the night cream, denser.

Unlike creams that I am probably more used to, spreadability was somewhat reduced. Was this a problem? Well, after all the cream had absorbed and my skin felt AMAZING, I soon realised that this cream could not be treated like most others. It is different because it is no-fluff purity. It would not contain substances to help improve spreadability or speed up absorption. This is bare bones skin food (and boy, does this stuff deliver).

Anyway, I found that by applying a small amount to each fingertip and tapping my fingertips over my face, a few light-touch strokes to evenly spread the cream and then a press-and-role action with the flats of my hands, the delivery is perfect and the skin feels alive from the massaging action.

Overall Summary: I just love how these products love my skin. Mine is not a particularly dry skin but I still have been blessed with fantastic results from using it as my skin feels enveloped in a comforting veil.

I think if you are going to use the range for the first time, forget what other products feel like when they are applied. This is unique. If I am honest, I think I have developed a bit of an addiction because I love how my skin is looking and feeling (especially in the morning after using the serum and night cream the night before).

A Final Word: The Beyond range is broad but product choice very simple. There is something for everyone (including a range aimed at professional salons and spas).

Other products from the range include (all organic):

Detoxifying Cleanser & Revitalising Toner
Rescue Salve
Enriching Body Butter
Boob and Butt Pick Me Up
Replenishing Hand Cream
Hydrating Body Oil
Stretchmark Cream
Baby Oil
Lip Balms

You can visit the Beyond Skin Care website at http://www.beyondskincare.co.uk/ or call 0845 500 3550 (local rate) for sales and enquiries.

Tip! Try their Weekender kit £21.60, that contains all the products reviewed here and I would reckon that it would last a good 2-4 weeks of daily use, which I think is truly excellent value for money.

Shop With Sparkle

Most of us only dream about opening a shop but here's one Fresholi member who is living that dream....

Purple Sparkle Crafts Is Open For Business

This pretty and inviting shop has opened its doors in Wincanton and has lots Purply Sparkly Crafts on offer. Aw.... everything this crafter does has her purply stamp on it.

I for one would like to wish her every success in the expansion of her business and I am sure this is echoed by all her friends at Fresholi. Good luck Becky, may you continue to go from success to success.

If you don't live in the Wincanton area, please do pay Purple Sparkle Crafts a visit online for a wonderful range of soaps, bath & body products and candles, all handcrafted and beautifully finished.

Soap Art

Take a look at this....

Ok, now tell me how in world one could ever, I mean EVER bring oneself to use this beautiful work of art? So pretty with the lovely detail. Just breathtaking isn't it? Soapy Chica never fails to take my breath away and there's many more where this came from, just as stunningly beautiful. Oh and please, please, please.... if you do nothing else, you just must visit the Bakery section of her Etsy shop for THE most yummy, scrummy, mouth-watering soaps you could ever imagine. Mmmm......

Art Nouveau - Super Chic Labelling

Could Coquilles de mer from the LCR Soap Company get any better? Well, take a look at this....






The Art Nouveau styling really adds class and gives these beautifully crafted bars extra super chic. This is a label that makes a statement about the artist behind each bar of lovliness and gives you a sense of who they are.


Visit the LCR Soap Company blog to see more super chic soaps.....

Coquilles de mer

Here we are, almost half way through October and today I think one could be forgiven for thinking it was July. What a lovey day! Blue skys, very gentle breeze, glorious sunshine and ooh... just lovely and warm.

It is days like this that make you think of the seaside rather than pumpkins and, although I didn't even get close to the beach (unless you count 100 miles as being close) I do get a little taste of the beach with this lovely soap, Coquilles de mer by LCR Soap Company.

Think blue sea, blue sky, clear sandy beaches, seagulls and seaspray. A warm sunny day looking for seashells, the sand between your toes, the kiddies laughing, paddling and giggling. Ah yes... I AM there. Smell that sea air? You with me? Lol...

This beautiful soap was crafted by hand and I just love the delicate swirls of blues and that lovely sandy layer. The seashells just finish this off so perfectly. Just tell me though, how in the world could one bring oneself to use such a lovely work of art? You will find more works of art and some interesting entries on the LCR Soap Company blog (and hopefully, the website will be finished soon :o))

Feast Thine Eyes!!!

I have a friend who happens to be a very creative soaper and she makes the most wonderful creams (how fortunate for me :o)). Anyway, I popped around her house yesterday for a quick chat as she prepared for a craft show. I went through the back gate and walked up to her workshop and lining the small forecourt was a delight to behold.

All these lovely, rustic-looking baskets and wooden boxes filled with wonderful chunky bars of soap, creams, bath salts and other goodies. Wow I thought. All the soapies were bare and naked and not one single bar looked like any other. There is something about that which really appeals to me. It is like each bar is an individual, has a personality all of its own.

Although I have seen her work many times before, on the drying racks of her workshop, there was something really special about she had arranged the bars, simply and without pretence in these boses. Just a simple and honest exclaimation of what she had to offer.

Amazing really, I felt almost compelled to say "I'll take one those, two of those and.... ooh, one of those please". She also had these wonderful gift bags and boxes that screamed natural goodness. A really perfect gift for someone special and as I picked up this and sniffed that, I was thinking 'hmmm.... this would be lovely for so and so for Christmas'.

It just goes to show though, that presentation is everything and it doesn't need to be all posh, neat and uniformed. In fact, I think we consumers have probably become somewhat immune to that kind of presentation that it no longer effects us. We could easily walk by that. No, this simplistic and open way was so honest, eyechatching & homely and Keilly's love & passion for what she does really shines through.

I know she did really well at the show and my goodness, why wouldn't she? Although I do hear she spent a good chunk of anything she made buying stuff from other stalls, lol. Anyway, she kindly allowed me to publish some pictures of her stall (which apparently was in stables - how quaint?).

Keilly is the founder of Mad About Nature and makes handcrafted soaps, creams and bath products from natural ingredients. A passionate creator with a great range of products (the gift packs are to die for). http://www.madaboutnature.co.uk/ is available online and will be showing at numerous events around the country (event calender can be viewed on the site).

Green Moss & Fern Soap by Udderly Divine

This has the most wonderful fragrance that lingers on the skin for what seems like an eternity. The wonderful aroma of green moss and ferns is perfectly complimented by its green, moss-like colouring It is incredibly fresh but has green, earthy notes that somehow have a sweetness to them.

Over half of this soap is comprised of rich and moisturising olive oil. Coconut, palm and cocoa butters contribute to lovely rich, creamy lather. This soap lathers so easily, even in cold water and leaves, what only can be described as, a moisturising film on the skin. So while it is lovely and cleansing, it is also remarkably moisturising. One that I would most definitely like a lifetime supply of, that's for sure.

Why not visit Hippy News, to see more from Udderly Divine?

Tess by Briallen - A product review....

Product review by Kim's lil' grandaughter (Kim is is a Fresholi member) on this wonderful bath product, Tess, by Briallen Traditional Crafts...

I was really excited when nanny told me the second Tess had arrived. I couldn't wait to try it out. The first one was lovely and the little bag was so sweet.It looked like a fresh cream meringue. Almost good enough to eat.

Tonight I filled the bath up with hot water,climbed in and dropped the Tess in the water. I loved the way it fizzed because it looked like it was about to explode and it smelt like creamy buttery white chocolate.(yum yum)The fragrance stayed in the bath until I let the water out (wow) The cream melted well and it didn't leave greasy marks on the sides of the bath.