All natural & Eco-friendly Soy Candles

I love candles, making them, using them and of course giving them as gifts.  They are extremely versatile and can be used in so many different areas to create moods and atmospheres including home decor, garden, dinner parties, bathroom and aromatherapy.

I always make candles made from soy wax, this is because they are eco-friendly and have so many more advantages in comparison to the common paraffin wax candles.

Advantages of Soya Wax

• made from soya wax a bi-product of the soya bean
• is a renewable source, grown in many regions
• gives a clean burn and does not produce too much black soot
• does not release harmful toxins & carcinogens into the atmosphere
• is biodegradable
• last longer due to a slower burning time
• holds scent well

Disadvantages of Paraffin Wax

• made from petroleum, which is a non-renewable source. 
• contain carcinogens which are released when burned. 
• burns to give a black soot which can collect on surfaces.

Floral Soap

I love visiting the country and sleepy little villages tucked away just a short drive outside London, villages like Aston Clinton, Shalford, Denham and Amersham. I love the green-ness, the florals, the quietness and most of all the lovely little cottages with original features, stable doors and giant brass knockers.

So.....a few weeks back whist visiting friends in Aston Clinton i had an urge to make a floral soap, one which was packed with lots of old english, traditional, floral and feminine character, and reminded me of everything  vintage.  

In my mind i had an image of a rustic yet feminine soap, heavily topped with petals and a delicate floral scent.

Using one of my favourite cocoa butter base recipes, i added a little beeswax to keep with the village/country theme ( imagination....lots of bee hives in the country) and added a little crushed calendula petals to give a soft yellow appearance.

Lots of english village botanics were packed on top, lavender, chamomile, rose and calendula petals. The chosen scents were palma rosa, lavender and ylang ylang....the scent is just divine and my mum has already pre-ordered a few slices. 

So far i have been calling this soap 'floral soap' but i really would like to change it and have a more distinguished name, it will come to me soon !!

I am super excited about this little soap and i cant wait to use it tonight!!!!

**Folksy Buy** - Plant Markers

I brought these lovely handmade ceramic plant markers on folksy from 'the little brick house'. Their size (14 x 2 cm) is just perfect for my herb patch.  I was unsure on whether i should choose wooden ones or black slate ones and when i saw these i fell in love with them.

Crinkle Cut Soap

I brought a crinkle cutter on ebay last week and i was SO excited that soon as i walked into the house and saw my parcel i had to rip it apart.  Straight away i used it to cut 2 loaves of  soap which i had been saving specially for this occasion.

I'm loving my crinkle cutter, i think my next few batches will all be crinkle !!!!

Peppermint Poppy Creme Soap

Peppermint Poppy Creme is just AMAZING!!!! 

peppermint and vanilla essential oils give this soap a yummy sweet scent.  

I love adding poppy as an exfoliator to soaps, it gives such a good scrub even my 5 year old niece told me her favourite soap was the one with the 'black spots' CUTE!!

Moorish Soap 'Memories of Al'andalus'

This soap is based on my adventures in 'Al-andalus', it reminds me of all the rustic rugid orange colours of Granada and Cordoba and the Alhambra view from St Nicholas point.

It was the Arabs (moors) who had brought oranges over to Spain from Arabia therefore i decided to scent this soap with sweet orange and a hint of mandarin, vetiver was added to give a warm woody scent which also reminds me of Arabian musk and actually makes a lovely blend.

Handmade orange peel was made by moi and added for colour, a rustic appearance and also for exfoliation.  I'm sure everyone has an image of Spanish sun kissed skin therefore i added carrot powder which is known to be good for complexion.  

Overall a really moisturisingly moorish soap with lots of lovely fun filled memories!!

Lemoni Soap

I remember reading 'Captain Corelli's Mandaline' when i was at university and falling in love with the name 'Lemoni', so it was no surprise when i made my new lemon soap that is was going to be named 'Lemoni'.

Lemoni is scented with lemon, citronelle, maychang and petuli to give a fresh, citrus summery scent and handmade lemon peel is added to give texture, colour and it is also a great exfoliator.  Lastly Lemoni is topped with calendula petals to finish off the yellow summery theme!!