New in the Shop - Hand Cream and Sale Lip Balms

I've decided to change the lip balm from a pot to a stick, based on feedback that I've had about what you would prefer. So I'm trying to clear out existing stocks.  While stocks last, all potted lip balms will be reduced in price to £1.50 (that's 45p off).  The weather is changing and it's time to start boosting your skin's moisture levels and protection against the elements, so it's the perfect time to stock up on some lip balm.  And if you've already started Christmas shopping they make great stocking fillers too.  Buy Lip Balms here.

Hand Creams are now available to buy online at only £2.50 each.  Made with whipped shea butter, they are available in five varieties:

• Dusk
• Lavender and Chamomile
• Grapefruit and Geranium
• Orange Blossom
• and Replenshing (unscented).

The Mysterious Art of Blogging

I've noticed that the blog has been lacking some focus for a little while. I've been finding it harder and harder to think of anything to write, which has resulted in some really random posts! But I've come across some insights that I think will help me a lot. Actually they already have. And what are these insights? Firstly, a very simple question - what do you want your blog to be? Funnily, I never asked that question when I started this blog. I started it because I was supposed to. All the advice for running an online business says that you need to have a blog, and a Facebook page and be on Twitter and so on.  So I got all of those things but I never really thought about what I wanted from each of those channels. As far as the blog goes, I realised that I wanted the blog to be something that I would read myself - informative, inspiring, honest and a little bit entertaining.

Once I'd done that it helped me figure out what to write about. The second insight is to make an editorial calendar and plan your posts in advance in order to help you publish regularly and eliminate writer's block.  Time is limited for me so I decided that posting once a week would be about as much as I could manage. I sat down and came up with five categories for the posts. That actually made it easier to think about particular topics and guess what, after spending about 15 minutes doing that I was able to come up with a schedule that would allow me to post once a week, with ideas for the next 3-4 months.

I have by no means cracked this blogging thing, but I at least feel a little more comfortable with it. We'll just have to wait and see how it all pans out.

Do you write a blog? Did you find that you lost focus/interest after a while? Leave a comment and share your tips on keeping up your blogging mojo (or getting it back).

MIY - Really Simple Shampoo/Conditioner

Back in June I wrote an "Ingredient Insight" post about Rhassoul clay, including how it can be used on the hair.  Well, here's a really simple recipe for a conditioning shampoo:

1 heaped tablespoon Rhassoul clay
1 tablespoon Orange Flower Water

That's it! I said it was simple.

Mix the clay and flower water together. The mix should have a 'dolloping' consistency - thick but not stiff.  Work the mix into wet hair, taking care to cover the hair from root to tip. Massage into the scalp as well.  Leave for several minutes (or longer, just don't let it dry out) then rinse out, and say hello to soft (really soft!), shiny hair.  If you have very textured or dry hair then you might want to use a moisturiser afterwards, but there's no need for a separate conditioner.  Usually if I don't use conditioner my hair is really frizzy and feels like straw, not to mention the tangling, but not with this recipe.  Simple, but very effective.

You can buy Rhassoul online at various places including here, and Orange Flower Water at the supermarket, or Asian food stores.

Have you tried Rhassoul for hair care?  Leave a comment about how you used it and what the results you got.