English Country Life by Victorian Garden

The English Country Life - interesting and worth while reading.

Victorian Garden

“The Exquisite Cotswolds ”

Pictures of my aunt's English Country House and Garden in the heart of England's beautiful Gloucestershire.

Here you see a very typical ancient English country garden with wonderful bright flowers, herbs, lavenders and crystal clear stream meandering through the village of Upper Slaughter near Cheltenham. A haven for birds, bees and butterflies. Houses in this area date back to the 16 th century and beyond. One house, pictured below, in a village close to my aunt's house, was bought by King Henry VIII as a gift for his much beloved and favourite first wife, Katherine of Aragon during the 1500's.

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Organic Gardeners by Victorian Garden

Really hope Victorian Garden will keep there website so informative and interesting with regular interesting topics such as this one.  I just had to include it in my blog.

HOT TIPS ORGANIC GARDENERS !

Here are some easy and earth-friendly green gardening tips:

START A WORMERY
The reason we're reiterating the point is that this natural compost is a much better alternative to chemical fertilizers.

GO ORGANIC
Look for organic brands of pesticides. Alternatively you can plant certain varieties of plants which attract beneficial insects to your garden, or make your own natural pesticides (we'll feature some natural recipes in an upcoming tip).

FEED THE BIRDS
Provided you don't have cats, try to attract as many birds as you can into your garden by hanging up feeders. Not only will they make your garden more beautiful, but they also have the added benefit of eating pests.

WATER EFFICIENTLY
Plan to water your garden around the weather forecast, so you don't end up watering hours before it rains. It is also a good idea to water in the evenings as it is cooler and less of the water evaporates from the heat. You may want to consider installing an irrigation system with a timer system, as this can save you quite a lot of water.

COLLECT RAINWATER OR USE GREY WATER
Using a rain barrel is not only easy and cost effective, but the water is also free from chlorine and minerals, so its better for your garden. 

PLANT INDIGENOUS ONLY
Plants native to your area naturally need less water, attract fewer bugs and are easier to take care of.

MAKE YOUR OWN…
Planters with old empty plastic and glass containers. Saves you throwing them in the rubbish, and saves you money too!

USE MULCH
Mulch can be anything that is laid over the soil in your garden. If you use attractive materials, it will enhance the look of your garden, and other benefits include retaining water and driving away pesky insects. Organic mulch will also help to fertilise your soil as it decomposes (but it will have to be replaced after awhile)

Victorian Garden

Holistic Health

“HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP”

10 Tips for Better Sleep

From Victorian Garden:  Try these suggestions if you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep:



Victorian Garden

1. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends. Sticking to a schedule helps reinforce your body's sleep-wake cycle and can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

2. Don't eat or drink large amounts before bedtime. Eat a light dinner at least two hours before sleeping. If you're prone to heartburn, avoid spicy or fatty foods, which can make your heartburn flare and prevent a restful sleep. Too much liquid can cause you to wake up repeatedly during the night for trips to the toilet.

3. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol in the evening. These are stimulants that can keep you awake.

4. Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, can help you fall asleep faster and make your sleep more restful.

5. Make your bedroom cool, dark, quiet and comfortable. Sprinkle a few drops of essential oil of Lavender on a tissue and leave this next to bed, as near to your head as possible. You can even sniff Lavender Oil straight from the bottle to induce a sleepy state….it is a wonderful and powerful sedative.

6. Sleep primarily at night.

7. Choose a comfortable mattress and pillow.

8. Start a relaxing bedtime routine. Do the same things each night to tell your body it's time to wind down, for example taking a warm bath using some of our gorgeous Victorian Garden Foaming Bath Oils; there are different formulas, each designed especially to serve a particular purpose, e.g, Stress/Relaxation, Pregnancy Relax, Colds/Flu, After-Sports Aches and Pains formulas. The oils enter your bloodstream through osmosis in your bath, and you feel wonderfully relaxed after you soak and ready for a good, deep sleep! If you really struggle to sleep, try our Natural Tranquillizer Oil – a few drops sprinkled into your bathwater, followed by a few drops of a skincare tissue oil (see below) massaged into your face and neck will work wonders !

9. Go to bed when you're tired and turn out the lights. If you don't fall asleep within 15 to 20 minutes, get up and do something else. Go back to bed when you're tired.

10. Use sleeping pills only as a last resort. Go the natural route beautiful Rosehip Facial Healing Oil or Anti Wrinkle Facial Oil on your face and upper cheeks especially, these products are powerful sedatives and make you feel nice and sleepy Stay away from chemical medicines such as sleep medications if you can . Check with your doctor before taking anything like this.

Nearly everyone has occasional sleepless nights. But if you have trouble sleeping on a regular or frequent basis, see your doctor. Preferably a homeopathic doctor who can give you some natural medicine to help you and help get you back on the road to a good night's sleep.

Victorian Garden: Daffodils

Victorian Garden

Daffodils

I wander'd lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills.
When all at once I saw a crowd;
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way;
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay.
Ten thousand saw I at a glance
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed and gazed – but little thought
What wealth to me the show had brought.

For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth



Herbs in The Victorian Garden

Herbs in the The Victorian Garden of the 21st century

Victorian Garden

"There's Rosemary - that's for remembrance; and the pansy

Davines OI/oil Absolute beautifying potion

I recently purchased OI/OIL Absolute beautifying potion for all kinds of hair from my hairdresser.  I found the product to be great.  It provides your hair with nutrients as it contains Roucou oil and is really great for untangling hair and as an anti-frizz. Just one drop will leave your hair shiny and silky.

Davines OI/OIL

They also have other products which I will definitely try in feature which includes:
Davines Authentic hair/body washing Nectar: shampoo with a delicate, moisturising, oily texture, suited for body and hair. Formulated with organic Safflower Oil and biodegradable surfactants.
Davines Authentic Moisturising face/hair/body Balm: moisturising, organic, Safflower Oil base balm with a treble action: make-up remover for the face, hair balm and body moisturiser.
Davines Authentic Nourishing face/hair/body Oil: rich in organic oils and organic Safflower Oil, and perfumed by 100% natural essences. Illuminates hair’s dry ends, performs a protective, anti-oxidising action on face and body.
Davines Authentic face/hair/body Restoring Butter: regenerating, nourishing butter with organic Safflower Oil. Used as pre-shampoo treatment for dry hair; ideal as a deep, nourishing cream for face and body.

Victorian Garden

Butterflies seen in the The Victorian Garden of the 1800’s

The Victorian Garden

The Victorian Garden

 

Victorian Garden

I recently received the excellent news that I have won products from Victorian Garden. I am incredibly excited to try out their organic skincare products and look forward to writing a blog post on my experience using the products.  It was very difficult to choose 4 products because everything sounds so amazing but I've made my selection:

Revitalising Flower Oil for Face & Neck V
Apricot Lavender Cleansing Cream
English Lavender & Cucumber Moisturiser
Lavender & Chamomile Night Cream

Their range includes the Victorian Garden collection, The African Indigenous collection and The Royal Tudor collection and The Victorian Garden Baby collection.

Victorian Garden only uses the purest most naturally derived ingredients which caters for their specific beneficial properties on the skin.

Also wonderful opportunity to actually be a Victoria n Garden stockist and the fact that they offer support and product training.

Interested in running your own Victorian Garden Organic Skincare Salon?

If you are a qualified beauty therapist or massage therapist and are keen to offer your clients organic treatments using The Victorian Garden products, and/or would like to stock our products in your salon/clinic, we would love to hear from you.

Catrice Coolibri

Follow Catrice on Twitter

Zando Online Shopping

For the widest range of fashion online and what can be better than free delivery within South Africa, cash on delivery, and free returns within 14 days.

Visit the Zando website

The online shopping experience is user friendly and what I love is that you can select the brand, colour, size and occassion, which really narrows down your search for that great outfit.  But I think the best thing of all is that it saves you hours of braving the crowds in shopping malls.  No more sore feet and frustration. What makes shopping at Zando especially great is their selection of brands which includes: Billabong, Jeep, Puma, Sass, UCLA, Rare London and many more.


Follow Zando on Twitter.

Jozi Organic

JOZI ORGANIC

Jozi Organic

 

I support environmentally friendly companies such as Jozi Organics as all products are cruelty free, pure and no synthetic fragrances are used. 

 In supporting Jozi Organics you also support a unique South African deodorant range.

 The deodorants are bio-gradable and compliant with the Eco-cert guidelines.

 I am currently using two of their organic deodorants: naturally and ivory, and can fully agree with their statement that it gives you all day confidence.  It is gentle on your skin.

Photo taken by Wilma Smith with a Blackberry 8900

It is currently on special at R70.00 for 80ml and the citrus roll-on is also great. 

Planet earth

We can all make a difference in supporting natural products, which is friendly to the environment and animals.

Natural & organic

The natural way for a natural skin!

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson

JOHNSON & JOHNSON products provide us with products and skincare routines which fits in with our hectic lifestyles.  It caters for all dry, oily, normal to sensitive skin types.  By using their products you will have a softer smoother skin.

Products received from Beauty Bulletin as part of the VIP members review club.

Products I recommend:

Face wash for normal skin and exfoliating wash:  Wash your face regularly.  Rinse properly.  Use the correct product.  Exfoliate - improve blood criculation.

Day cream for normal skin, day cream fluid for normal skin and replenish night cream:  For a smooth and silky skin. 

Face wipes for normal skin.  Great to remove make-up.

Elizabeth Arden

Make Elizabeth Arden part of your daily skin care routine and avoid early signs of fine lines and wrinkles.  The perfect way to spoil yourself or for that special gift.

Image source

Elizabeth Arden by wilmasmi featuring a cream skincare

I recommend Elizabeth Arden for all day fresher and radiant looking skin.

Image source

Dis-Chem - Bath Time must-haves!

I recently spent a very pleasant hour shopping in Dis-Chem Canal Walk and collected a free copy of the Benefits magazine on my way out. In general, this is a really great coffee table magazine!

My most recent browse through the Winter 2012 edition had me linger on page 14, in particular one specific bath time must-have to boost your skin this winter....

I personally use and thus recommend their soluble bath oil as it contains no perfumes or additives! A favourite, BioNike Triderm Oleated Bath; it really soothes and moisturises the skin with no oily residue.  After a long hard day at the office treat yourself to a relaxing bath with a luxurious twist by adding a small amount of the oil which will turn the water invitingly milky. 

Did you know that aqueous cream can be used as a soap and believe it or not as a shampoo too!  Also highly recommended is Aqua-bar Molient Cleanser and BioNike's Triderm Marseille Soap.  If you battle with dry skin, try BioNike Proxera Shower Foam.  Really luxurious leaving your skin nice and smooth; combined with  BioNike's Triderm Cinque Barrier Cream it will also provide you with extra skin protection! 

Try these products to boost your skin this winter....

Rubybox Boutique

Rubybox has an online boutique that sells fantastic brands at a special price to Rubies.  Here are a few items I have my eye on in the store:

Images sourced from the Rubybox website

Follow Rubybox on Facebook and Twitter.  To subscribe to your monthly Rubybox visit their website.

Tranquil Body Treats Vanilla Specials!

Image Source

You can purchase the products from the online store or from a stockist listed on their Tranquil Body Treats website.  Follow Tranquil Body Treats on Facebook and Twitter.

Crabtree & Evelyn Cavendish store re-opening soon!