Last Sunday we celebrated SUPERHERO DAY. She was GYMNASTIC GIRL cartwheeling across the living room. My youngest was a hybrid between ELSA and ANNA from FROZEN and my eldest veered from being too cool to get involved and wildly jumping around the room as HAWK EYE.
My daughter took this day very seriously. She chose outfits for her siblings and then went to my wardrobe to have a think about what sort of superhero I should be – I’m not sure if GREY SWEATS AND HOODIE GIRL is already a Marvel comic.
‘You don’t have a cape Mummy’ she declared after rummaging through my clothes. ‘Ah but don’t you know that not all superheroes wear capes’ I replied. ‘And did you know that Mums actually have superhero powers?’
(Now I realise this can sound conceited – this is definitely not my goal– there are a great many Mums who are much more ‘superhero’ than I am. I’m simply demonstrating how much we have to deal with and the pressure we put ourselves under)
I looked my daughter square in the eyes, took a deep breath and launched -
We often start the day with a broken night, up late tidying away toys, folding laundry or looking after a sick child or dealing with a bad dream.
Then it’s breakfast, finding uniforms, remembering everyone’s kit for the day ahead, making packed lunches - and worrying because they don’t measure up to those you see on INSTAGRAM with beautifully cut sandwiches and 3 different types of fruit - brushing hair, fighting the ‘you must brush your teeth’ war, finding coats/hats (worrying if it's too hot, too cold, sun cream, extra layers, wellies..etc…etc…), dropping off at school, coordinating diaries for after-school clubs with the other parents at drop off.
Next I’m driving to work, trying to switch my head to work mode, smiling, trying to make some skincare products, attending meetings, sending endless emails, still trying to make some skincare products, grabbing food, clock ticking and trying to get it all done - agh, still have to make a batch of moisturiser / lotion / balm, driving to pick up children from school, dropping them off in different locations, waiting in car and YouTubing how to perfect a French plait, worrying about not exercising enough, getting everyone home safely whilst discussing the intricacies of Minecraft v Roblox, making dinner or several different dinners, washing up, tidying, bathing everyone, grappling about screen time, worrying about screen time, reading three different bedtime stories, trying to stay awake long enough to get through a Netflix episode, collapsing into bed only to repeat it the next day.
My daughter stared at me, visibly unimpressed and replied simply – ‘So you can’t freeze people then?’
Whatever combination of the above your day looks like, it is a full on, albeit immensely rewarding experience. I don’t do all of this on my own - far from it - and Gareth pours an excellent glass of wine, but some people do and their invisible cape must be extra sparkly.
So, although we may not (always) wear Wonder Woman blue hot pants does not mean we are any less of a superhero. No one has made a film about us (yet) but we are the glue that holds it all together. So swish that invisible cape with pride and remember just how impressive you are.
]]>As February ends, maybe so have some of our New Year’s resolutions….green juice anyone?
I think my son might be struggling with one of his resolutions. He grandly announced that he no longer would be using anything made in China and I happily suggested he would need to give up his Nintendo switch…..what a deflated look he gave me.
We then went into a well known big supermarket and I said he could choose a treat from the toy aisle. Well he ran up and down that aisle but could he find something that fitted in with his new beliefs? Unfortunately no and I watched him grapple with the moral dilemma he’d created for himself. Was he really going to have to stick this out or simply go with the masses and get the dinosaur he really wanted? I could see his young mind comprehend on some level the scale of the problem.
I think this is often the case – we often feel deflated at the sheer enormity of climate change. There is much information on the ‘correct’ product to buy and people can be quick to judge and castigate if you’re seen with the ‘wrong’ product in your home. However, what we need is encouragement, even when we make mistakes.
We need the trail blazers living the eco friendly life to be our aspirational evangelists. However we mustn’t admit defeat if we cannot follow their life exactly – surely it is better that more of us reuse and recycle imperfectly rather than not at all?
After many a conflicting moment in his head my son did decide to put the dinosaur back on the shelf. He was so disappointed though, that I bought him a Mars bar….didn’t let him look at the label in case he found any reason not to enjoy it!
]]>We were elated to have been chosen – what an amazing opportunity for our business. However apprehension crept in when we realised that the camera crew wanted to film us at home as well as in the workshop. I instantly thought of our house with its dirty dishes, Lego on the floor and random kids’ pants stuffed in the sofa (it has fallen so far down the spectrum of shabby chic that the chic needs to be removed) and had a mini panic attack. If I had to factor in achieving ‘White Company house photo shoot look’ as well as all my other chores I might actually cry.
As the day of filming loomed I considered prepping the children on some ‘interesting topics’ for us all to discuss in front of camera. I thought for example, talking about the different types of birds in the garden might be preferable to my son’s usual detailed gory description of zombie destruction in his latest video game. However I realised there was a risk of him piping up with ‘ my mum told me to say all this boring stuff’. I was over thinking it all and just had to cross my fingers that sibling chat on snot size, variety and texture would not come up that day.
The day of filming arrived and with it our usual chaos. I had forgotten that my older daughter needed her ballet outfit and was desperately searching for a tutu whilst trying to straighten my hair – I could have done with my own dressing room really. The film crew arrived for breakfast time as they wanted to film us on the school run. They were incredibly kind, great with the kids and dealt very well with all the breakfast madness.
The children coped brilliantly – so much better than we did. They were completely natural in the way only children can be. They were very excited to show their friends as we walked to school with the camera behind us.
All our colleagues did amazingly well: it is not easy to work and chat to a camera crew at the same time. Our work requires total focus so remembering not to stick one’s tongue out in concentration was a high priority –accomplished with flying colours.
What an unforgettable experience we all had and we are extremely grateful to be given this opportunity. We do hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it!
]]>'Well being week’ has now been and gone. Did any of us notice or did it pass us by in a fog of work, commitments and responsibilities? I think it ironic that those of us most in need of some 'well being' may well have missed it.
I recently wrote about my struggles with anxiety (which you can read here) and was extremely touched by all your responses and thank you for sharing your own personal stories. I have been asked what ‘tricks’ I use to control my worries and thought I would share some of my coping mechanisms with you.
The problem with anxiety is that it is not rational and will strike when stress levels from work, kids are high. So below are a few things I do to try and reduce stress and therefore reduce anxiety.
Dance – In a past life I lived in Paris and taught salsa dance and dance remains one of my passions. If I’m feeling stressed I simply turn on the tunes. Dancing releases endorphins and helps reduce the level of cortisol, a stress hormone. I can happily dance by myself at home but I do enjoy forcing my children to dance with me. They laugh – I laugh and nobody cares what you look like.
Bath Ritual – Every night I light a candle, pour in our bath oil and relax in my bath for around 30mins. There are so many studies out there on the therapeutic benefits of water submersion. It is a routine I rarely miss and the times I do I can really feel the difference. Luxury for me is both having a bath - I am aware not everyone does - and being able to take time. The latter is definitely easier said than done but, like most things, when it is part of a routine it becomes much easier.
Read a Book – Entering into someone else’s world can help you forget about your own. I will often drift off to sleep thinking about the characters and their environment. There is so much of the world that I will never see and books are an opportunity to delve into them. They remind you that we are but one small person in this vast universe and can put your own everyday problems into perspective.
Pluck my Eyebrows – I know this is a bit of a ridiculous one but I often forget to do it and then am horrified by my reflection. However, it only takes 30 seconds, and then I can hold my head up higher, safe in the knowledge that I am not too bushy. A small gesture that can yet add volumes to your self worth.
Exercise – Even though I rail about it beforehand (especially as it is often at 6.30am, squeezed in prior to the pre-school turmoil) I do feel so much better afterwards. Again it goes back to celebrating yourself and finding out what makes you feel good. When I force myself to move I am acknowledging my self worth.
Food & Drink – Whatever your food or tipple of choice I would make sure it is good quality, not just for health benefits because we are showing kindness to ourselves. Gareth buys me the coffee I love and makes me a big pot of it every morning. Simply sitting and sipping puts a smile on my face. We definitely eat our fair share of rubbish but try most of the time to eat real food. If we value the quality of what we put on and in our bodies it shows how much we value ourselves as people.
Talk – Problems magnify when they are left to fester in your head. However I speak to my mum or a friend on a daily basis and it is a wonderful tonic. It is finding that person who won’t judge you or criticise – simply listen and empathise. Conversely it is beneficial to simply enjoy the silence and not fill every moment with noise. It is hard not to be afraid of silence as your thoughts come creeping in. However once you can appreciate the silence it can be hugely helpful.
Change up the Routine – Sometimes feeling like you can’t step out of the ‘rat race’ can make the panic rise. However if I plan little excursions for the kids after school, or cook something different for dinner, then my view on life feels more positive and I have more energy.
These are a few examples of the steps I take to try and reduce my anxiety. I would love to hear the tricks you do to celebrate yourselves and therefore reduce negativity and stress. The more we talk and share, surely the better we will be.
]]>It seems a bit premature to be thinking about sandals or flip fops and sunny climates but thank fully the good british weather has been kind to us recently.
Feet are a funny thing to talk about right? But good footcare can really help with overall wellbeing and health, using foot care products for just a few weeks can really transform your foot health.
Foot Gel or Foot Balm?
People often think that only one foot product is required to keep your foot health in one order, and although we have two to offer these have been specifically formulated to be used in different environments. Our Foot balm is a heavier cream which we would recommend for a more intensive foot therapy, for example, for someone on their feet much of the day. Our Gel is a much lighter formula and more refreshing treatment. It is very easy to apply and has an almost instantaneous cooling effect.
Tea Tree, Rosemary & Geranium Foot Gel
This is a cooling gel with soothing Aloe Vera as the main ingredient, a recent review said this was 'Super refreshing. A spa in a tube' This product also contains Sweet Almond Oil, Calendula, Jojoba and Avocado Oil, helping to provide and lock in moisture. Together with the combination of Lavender (calming and soothing), Ginger & Rosemary (anti-inflammatory) and Tea Tree (natural anti-bacterial) essential oils this gel really helps relax and nourish the feet. An excellent product to use after a walk to help cool and refresh hot, tired feet.
The essential oils also give it a beautiful smell meaning that this light and easily absorbable gel is a pleasure to use.
Neem, Pine & Tea Tree Foot Balm
Neem has been used in ayurvedic medicine in Southern Asia for thousands of years. Its anti-bacterial properties, together with those of Tea Tree and Pine, make it perfect for a foot balm.
The balm also includes Shea Butter and Beeswax - an excellent combination of fatty acids and vitamins that work especially well on dry skin and cracked heels. I like to apply it at night and then put on some socks to allow the product to absorb thoroughly into my feet.
]]>However when mentioning matters of the mind, people can become fixated on it, forgetting all else about you, or at least that is how it can feel if you are on the receiving end. I am, of course, so much more than my ‘weakness’. Like everyone, I am a kaleidoscope of differing skills, emotions and capabilities.
The few people I have spoken to of my anxiety have expressed such surprise, ‘but you seem such a confident, happy person’ which I most definitely am. It is these dichotomies that make us who we are and demonstrate how one aspect of ourselves cannot define us as a whole
I now try to accept my anxiety as simply part of my character. My anxiety is rather like an overtired toddler – it demands constant attention, is always there at my heels yet can be deflected with certain techniques acquired over the years.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day I must add that my husband has been a wonderful, non-judgmental support throughout. We can openly discuss my fears and he brings me back with his rational thinking. Or occasionally he just laughs at me which usually snaps me out of it, or makes me want to throw the remote at him.
My anxiety doesn’t make me less of a person, or less reliable, it is simply one of the layers that make up me – we are all multi-layered, rather like a lasagne. It can even bring with it some positives. I believe it has made me more conscientious, thorough and reflective towards the feelings of others.
So let’s champion our lasagne layers and congratulate ourselves for achieving in the everyday, despite or because of our weaknesses.
It may be yet another lockdown but hopefully the promise of a new year heralds a better time ahead.
It is easy to get caught up in resolutions and promises of dramatic difference. I have found myself getting inspired by watching Facebook clips on achieving a perfect yoga handstand or by transforming my life with one simple detox shake. However, probably luckily, I know myself well enough by now not to click on the life changing links, as the only purge I would achieve is that of emptying my bank account.
In these troubling times I suppose the onus is on us to try and look for the positives that already exist around us and to look at making subtle, yet important changes, on a day-to-day basis.
I’m not pretending it is ever easy to make changes, even small ones. Any vague notions of a dry or even a moderately healthy January disappeared the moment Boris announced school closures (my eyes didn't quite well up but it was a close thing).
However, given that we have to be at home much more, even if with three small children, making small changes that can make this the best possible experience take on an even greater importance. The Danish way of living, Hygge, creating coziness, and subsequently a sense of well being is something we can all achieve without a Facebook clip.
For me it has been simple things such as lighting my candles instead of saving them – I’m not exactly sure what I was saving them for? maybe a powercut….. – turning off the main lights and turning on lamps, and snuggling up under a blanket with a good book or in front of the television.
Ultimately, I believe that by just tweaking our everyday, without spending a lot of money or trying to make radical changes in the way we live, we can achieve a much greater sense of happiness and well-being.
One change I made recently was to try a new drink, vodka & tonic (I know, I also can't believe it took me so long....I put it down to a bad experience with vodka as a teenager). It's not quite the 'perfect handstand' - maybe 2022 - and whether you are succeeding with dry January or, like me, have a new (or old) favourite tipple, I hope you will join me in raising a hopeful and optimistic glass to 2021.
Obviously I’m not getting my wish and, I’m ashamed to admit, I had a few days of, ‘the poor me’s’. However I heard my lovely mother-in-law’s voice - from Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland - in my head saying, ‘catch yourself on’ or worse, ‘give my head peace’, and so I did. I went to the Co-op, bought some sausage rolls and twiglets, put some music on in the kitchen, and shook, if not danced, myself out of it. As a family we have had disruptions but these pale in comparison to what some people are having to endure.
One of my biggest sadnesses this year was the death of my grandfather and of course we couldn’t have a funeral for him. However, from this sorrow there came light. On the day of his burial, the residents of the village decided to line the lane from his house all the way to the church so that his coffin was accompanied to his final resting place. It was quite an overwhelming moment for our family and I was awed by what a community can do when they pull together.
Our village gave my grandfather a beautiful send off and showed us how loved he was. The simple act of standing outside their doors as a group made such a difference as we also saw on a nationwide basis with our ‘clap for carers.’
People are meant to be together, we are stronger, happier and more hopeful this way, and constant solitude can only lead to unhappiness. This pandemic has forced so many into loneliness, made all the more difficult this time round as the nights draw in. The events this year are a reminder to me that even a small gesture of kindness towards a stranger or a neighbour can mean such a lot to the receiver.
So I’m not getting my 21st birthday party this year, but I will be surrounded by my family and that really is a very precious gift in itself. We have all lost something or someone, some obviously much more than others, and will collectively mourn for the 2020 that might have been. But in one way or another, what we are enduring has brought us together, often in unexpected and beautiful ways, and the thought of that makes me smile.
Beeswax, the natural wax that hives produce, is an amazing ingredient and we use it in a number of our therapeutic products, including our Dry Skin and Foot Balms, our Skin Repair Bars and our Hand and Lip balms.
With natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties it is said to be very beneficial for dry or inflamed skin.
As a consequence of being absorbed slowly by the skin, Beeswax doesn't block pores and helps soothe irritated skin.
Eczema & Dry Skin
There is no silver bullet for the most serious skin conditions, including Psoriasis or Eczema - Gareth & I know, suffering from these respectively.
However, we receive reviews and feedback from our customers that for even the most serious skin conditions such as eczema, our Dry Skin Balm or Skin Repair Bars can be wonderfully calming.
We strongly believe the Beeswax in these products is an important part of why our customers find them so effective.
Responsibly Sourced Beeswax
At Pure Lakes we not only use Beeswax sourced responsibly from within Dartmoor National Park, but we also support the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust, a charity doing excellent work to support our bumble bees.
It was World Bee Day in May and we celebrated with a few moments of peace in our garden, listening to and being soothed by that gentle hum of these amazing creatures.
]]>Part of me would like the stereotypical Father's Day. Lets call it 'Fathers Day, the dream'. Wake up in my own time and in a leisurely fashion. Tea, a few slices of sourdough toast and marmalade, all served in bed with The Times newspaper. Where are the children? Silly question. They are downstairs playing quietly with Claire.
With three children 'Father's Day, the reality' is very different. Very. Last year Claire was heavily pregnant and we spent most of the day travelling to Carlisle to see our middle child dance (3-4 hour round trip for 2 minutes on stage...).
My car air-conditioning is an open window and as I drove us up there poor Claire had to put up with the stifling heat whilst entertaining the children. It didn't feel right to moan about not having had breakfast in bed.....
In an old life I worked long hours in quite a pressured job, one that involved a fair bit of travel, sometimes over weekends. I was never home for breakfast and was usually back just in time to wish the children goodnight.
These days I often have sole responsibility for our three children, a situation that is relatively common-place with Claire and I running Pure Lakes together.
At no point have I found the former more difficult than the latter. When working in an office I was able to take time for a coffee break, have a walk outside to clear my head, take some me-time. More than that, head space was always my own. With little children you switch off and leave them to it at your peril.
Friends with older children tell me that it does't get easier. The worry about immediate safety is supplanted by worry about teenage strife and angst. Never mind teenagers; my parents have seven children and never stop worrying about any of us. Claire's folks the same.
My knowledge of the difference between office work and childcare is very much first hand, and I am immensely grateful for this. I now see my children first thing and last thing, and lots in between. These last couple of days we have been playing hide & seek, football (not good for the ego when you are roundly beaten by a 6 year old, although I did have a baby strapped to my front) and junior monopoly.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that for me every day is Father's Day. Yes, it is the most challenging of anything I have done and yes, it is physically and mentally exhausting but it is extraordinarily rewarding.
I have something very precious, time with my children and I am getting to watch them grow up, sharing in their ups and downs. I see them lots and it really is brilliant. I don't need a special day to appreciate it or to be thanked.
I tried every cure out there and it only disappeared when I moved abroad -no idea why but I suggest the NHS consider putting that cure on prescription.
I thought I was clear of it. However I have had a major re-occurrence and this time it has even spread to my face. Before this latest outbreak I remembered the eczema only vaguely and just as an irritation – it wasn’t so bad surely? But oh I had forgotten and I can confirm it is really bad.
Obviously, the condition is not fatal but I believe it is incredibly debilitating. It can be so sore and itchy and my hands now sound and feel like sandpaper. I no longer have my precious ‘me time’ bath as the exposure to hot water is just too painful – I just sit in the corner and itch instead.
The eczema has affected my confidence. It has spread up my arms so I choose my clothes differently and I’m a little bit tired of people staring at my face for all the wrong reasons. I no longer take the children swimming because the chemicals are too painful on my angry skin and this especially makes me sad.
This is not meaning to sound like a pity party. It is more of a ‘shout out’ to all the fellow sufferers out there, I’m sorry I had forgotten how bad it was and now my empathy is right up there as I’m reliving it in vivid colour.
I blamed the outbreak as a teenager on fast living, unhealthy diet and bad skincare products. However I’m not sure what to blame it on this time? My living is now snail’s pace in comparison and I’ve never eaten better or used better products…..obviously. I have not changed anything in the last 5 years but yet suddenly I’m having a break out. Perhaps stress? Not enough sun? Hormones post birth? But please don’t tell me it’s coffee because I think I might almost prefer the eczema to giving up that.
I would love to hear any of your cures to alleviate the pain. I do find that our Shea Butter, Calendula & Beeswax Dry Skin Balm (Gareth swears by this one for his psoriasis) and our new Mimosa Shea Body Butter help tremendously with the dryness and itching.
I put the latter on last thing at night which reduces night scratching and eases me gently into the morning. The problem is I wash my hands so regularly during the day it is difficult to keep reapplying cream or feel the benefit of the cream for long.
However I have promised Gareth not to cure it this time by moving abroad.....
]]>“Oi fat old lady!” – No, not some troll heckling me but my six year old son shouting and giggling uncontrollably in the playground. I was really shocked by the rude, albeit somewhat accurate, greeting. Out of the mouths of babes and all that.... I am holding on to the fact that at least he said ‘lady’.
Of course, with the indulgence of the mother/son relationship I forgave, probably too quickly, putting it down to boundary pushing and the sometimes incomprehensible boy humour.
Being a mother is a strange dichotomy - we are 100% needed but yet completely taken for granted. Frustrations and irritations from the day are often taken out on us and woe betides if we forget a gym kit or snack.
My daughter used to say she wanted to live with me forever but now says she’s “moving to America to live in Disney Land” – oh my poor heart.
Already fail-safe routines are changing – my son now doesn’t want baths with his sister – only ‘grown up’ showers. My daughter won’t always be slipping her hand in mine as we cross the road or crawling into my bed first thing in the morning.
They say that you never know when something will be for the last time and I try to be mindful of that when we are once again playing shop or starting yet another game of hide and seek.
And when exasperation strikes at the constant giving I try to see it from their eyes – we are pretty much their world right now; they don’t care about the menu in a restaurant or the décor of a hotel....they just want to be with us. We determine if their day will be full of joy or sorrow and what a responsibility and privilege that is.
As we get older and perhaps become a mother ourselves we can appreciate fully what our mother has done for us. I still rely heavily on my own mother and all too often still take her many kindnesses and even her love for granted.
I suspect she wouldn’t have it any other way (although a few more thank you’s would probably not go amiss...) and perhaps this is as it should be, that children should be able to rely on us completely without consequence or the expectation of something in return.
At any rate, every mother’s day I look forward to my present of gluey sticks, leaves, straws, pompoms on a card and long may it continue.
“The days are long but the years are short” – so, so true.
Being an only child is a mixed bag but for me the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and now a new unexpected perk has come to the fore - that of hand-me-downs; my mum has kept a considerable amount of my old toys and clothes and my 2 daughters are now reaping the rewards.
The delight of opening an old box is three fold. My daughter is excited to be adding to her bulging wardrobe, I am instantly thrown back 35 years and I can’t even begin to imagine how my mum feels watching her granddaughter try on my old party dresses. It is a moment that creates a strong bond between maternal generations and I’m grateful that she took the time to conserve these items and subsequently the memories.
I try to re-use as much as possible, sometimes to not great effect. My baby girl is often wearing my son’s clothes – inevitably I get asked, “aw how old is HE?” and my elder daughter looks on horrified as for her if it isn’t pink/unicorned/sparkly or rainbowed don’t even bother.
But how nice it feels to reuse, save the money and relive those baby memories. I won’t be able to save many clothes for my grandchildren as they have been well loved, vomited etc on three times over, but I will do my best to save one or two special pieces.
The idea of being a guardian of items to pass down is being lost, partly because it is more difficult to buy quality anymore. Our culture is to buy cheap, throw away and move on – so much easier than investing the time and money and I am as guilty as the next person.
At work we strive to reuse everything we can. The reason you will often receive your order in weird and wonderful packaging is due to us reusing all the packaging we get. We actually get excited when a ‘good’ box comes in the post that can be chopped up and used for orders….
There is so much to be said for buying less and reusing, thus living a simpler life - enjoying today and worrying less about what has happened or what might happen.
Whether at home or work I know we still have a long way to go and a lot to learn. When I realise that we have used a plastic bag unnecessarily or thrown something away that could have been reused I try to tell myself that no journey is a straight line and that living and learning are two sides of the same coin.
]]>“To thine own self be true” – I’m pretty sure Polonius in Hamlet wasn’t alluding to ‘self-care’ when he uttered those famous lines and I hope the bard forgives me for interpreting it thus.
I try to live by this principle but rarely succeed. I actually wear a necklace with these words on it – perhaps in the hope that its sentiment seeps through my blood stream into my brain.
How many times a day do we find ourselves fulfilling the needs of others, without even thinking about what we might want?
So what exactly is self-care? I see it as carving out time for oneself, for filling that moment with what you might like to do. It may be reading a book, having a bath/walk, whatever it is that grounds and replenishes you.
I typically spend all day at work troubleshooting and sorting, rush home and repeat the same there – my kids are tucked in bed smelling of lavender with clean hair, clean sheets, brushed hair, trimmed nails and I on the other hand don’t dare look in the mirror.
I hadn’t realised how putting myself at the bottom of the heap can be so detrimental to my health but if you think about it, how can we be our best self for others if we don’t look after ourselves? As the saying goes, “you cannot pour from an empty cup.”
I may well get in trouble for saying this but in my opinion women are much more guilty of this than men – we seem to see it as a badge of honour to give endlessly, feeling it is egotistical to add our wishes into the mix. But there is no prize awarded for the most self sacrificial person.
For me our new Shea Body Butter epitomises self care. The ingredients are indulgent (the Shea Butter comes from a women's cooperative in Burkina Faso and I wrote about it just a few months back), they give back to the body and the smells invoke feelings of spring, new beginnings and hope.
This butter is an excellent excuse to take a few minutes for yourself as it needs time to be massaged into the skin.
It is an extravagant, celebration of a product and one that the kids or husband are not allowed to steal. I put it on last thing at night and let the natural ingredients work their magic as I sleep.
So here’s to us giving our bodies and mind some respect and care however we choose to do it.
Dry, cracked lips are very uncomfortable at any time of the year but the colder weather can especially dry out our lips, as can the central heating, and so a good lip balm is a must.
With all that mind, I am very delighted to introduce the first of our lip balms, the Pure Lakes Chocolate and Mint lip balm.
We love Cacao butter, the fat obtained from cacao beans (the basis of chocolate). Its velvety texture, easy absorption, high level of moisture and wonderful smell make it an ideal ingredient for a lip balm.
Peppermint is a very a good compliment to the chocolate – think ‘After Eights’ without any bad side effects. It is also a cooling and refreshing and helps to keep the lips flexible.
Our base ingredients include Beeswax which is a natural emollient and helps to bring back that essential moisture we need for healthy looking lips. We have also included Shea Butter for its protective and healing properties.
Like all our products, our lip balm is made by hand. Everything is melted down and then hand-poured into each aluminium tin individually.
Our colleague Max has mammoth lip balm making days where she gets into an impressive rhythm of measuring, melting, pouring and sticking on labels.
The lucky girl receives a complimentary facial steam bath from bending over Bain-marie's all day - what an added bonus; by the end of the day she has produced over 200 lip balms.
So I do hope you enjoy our lip balm – here’s to lots of fun under the mistletoe xx
]]>The reality in our house is very different. We seem to have a sticky tape thief who comes only on Christmas Eve and steals every roll from every drawer, and I find myself muttering profanities at midnight as I attempt to wrap presents with Pritt Stick and string whilst simultaneously frantically ordering an ‘Elsa’ cape on Amazon Prime.
If you were being kind you would describe our Christmas tree as eclectic. The children insist on decorating it in their favourite colours and every primary colour is represented.
However every year I accept a little bit more that my ‘White Company’ fantasy is just that – a fantasy and I would rather have my reality any day. Christmas shouldn’t be about matching plates and silver sprayed pine cones but rather an opportunity for simply spending time with family and friends -to look around the room and be thankful for what we have.
Gareth is in charge of food & drink. I am eternally grateful for this and he does pull it off with aplomb. However I am slightly suspicious at how long it takes him to peel potatoes… chaos can be reigning yet Gareth stands serenely amidst a sea of wrapping paper studying his iPad, oh sorry, I mean recipe obviously.
The excitement that radiates off the children is infectious and I try to let myself get carried along by their enthusiasm.
This will be my baby Carina’s first Christmas and my six year old son very solemnly sat down and wrote her present list for Father Christmas – I found this so touching and I will not listen to the little voice inside me questioning exactly how I can fill a stocking for a 3 month old – nappies? dummies? babygrows?
I’m not sure she’s quite ready for the remote control car quite yet but you never know…
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Lake District World Heritage status is grounded in poets, authors and painters, with the inscription coming under the Cultural Landscape category. However those same beautiful lakes and fells that inspired Wordsworth and Ruskin serve as inspiration for all we here at Pure Lakes make, from shampoo and soap to cleanser and toner.
Running a manufacturing business in a rural part of the UK, let alone a national park, can be challenging. The high cost of living, issues surrounding public transport and logistical concerns regarding supply chains are just some.
So, why do we do it? Why not make our skincare products in an urban industrial estate or have them made for us by a third party?
Just one look out of our window at the surrounding fells is enough to help answer this question.
In addition, a significant part of the Pure Lakes Skincare ethos is the fact that we make all our products ourselves, helping to create demand for local services and shops here in the Lake District National Park.
For Claire and I this is important. Pure Lakes is much more than a way for us to earn a living, important as such might be. It helps resolve the tension between the National Park as a tourism destination and a place where people live and work all year round. For Pure Lakes, increasing visitor numbers means more job creation and ultimately more demand for every-day services such as schools and doctors’ surgeries.
We believe that World Heritage status will raise awareness of the Lake District National Park throughout the world and help to support businesses such as our own, many of which are heavily reliant on the visitor economy.
Wordsworth wrote of the 'grandeur in the beatings of the heart’. It is indeed heartening to think that the fells and lakes he loved continue to inspire many small businesses locally, in turn supporting working communities that have been here for millennia and that help make the Lake District what it is today.
]]>Shea Butter is both my biggest challenge and my best friend.
Its high level of fatty acids and vitamins make it an incredible moisturiser and it can be a great help with dry/problem skin.
Our Calendula & Beeswax Dry Skin Balm, Neem, Pine & Tea Tree Foot Balm and Chamomile, Calendula & Hyaluronic Hand Balm all contain Shea Butter and I use all 3 every night especially when the colder weather begins.
It has the unique ability to nourish without clogging pores. I like to put the balm on my hands and then wear gloves in the night for added hydration – sexy I know.
We also supply Langdale’s beautiful Brimstone Spa with a Shea Body Butter used in some of their luxurious body treatments and so I am well acquainted with this amazing little nut. In its raw form it looks good enough to eat, which you actually can. However, don’t worry, I do refrain from sticking my finger in it.
We make sure to buy it unrefined so it’s natural properties remain completely intact. We also buy it in 25kg boxes and I see Gareth’s heart sink when a pallet load arrive to be lugged up our flight of stairs.
The reason I find it so challenging as it is a delicate ingredient to work with. It melts incredibly quickly and does not enjoy being overheated for long. For our recipes the shea needs to be stirred every 15mins to achieve the smooth butter consistency; like a toddler it doesn’t respond well to being left in a corner and neglected.
I start the making process at 10am and have finished it by 5pm. So when a Shea Butter order comes in I have to take a deep breath, ignore any other jobs and commit fully to the high maintenance nut.
However the sense of achievement is definitely heightened at the end of the day, outweighing the pain of a repetitive strain injury on my elbow sustained due to excess stirring. So, next time you are applying one of our various balms you can do so with added respect for this mighty nut that doesn’t take any prisoners.
I use the word ‘thought’ because when I studied the ingredients and looked past the ‘formulated in nature’ (what does that actually mean?) and ‘includes essential oils’ I realised that only the tiniest part of the product was actually properly natural. I was horrified.
As someone who makes her living from making and selling natural skincare there really was no excuse. So Sandra and I embarked on developing a range especially formulated for babies and children.
We had three main criteria, as it were.
Quality not quantity.
We wanted ingredients that each serve a beneficial purpose with nothing included to simply ‘bulk up’ a product.
Unfortunately caution is needed when buying skincare for little people as clever marketing can fool us all. I certainly fell for many an artistic label containing soft focus and baby bottoms. Now educated in skincare, I see that companies can still fill their product with below par ingredients and include only a tiny percentage of what they promise on the front.
There are now only 2 big companies I trust with buying products for my children. Sorry no I can’t name them – I want you to buy ours instead.
Bubbles. Or lack thereof!
Oh how our children love them. They blow them at Mummy, turn themselves into Santa Claus, squidge them into little sister’s eyes and create Mohawks. They do add a certain magic to baths and goodness knows that is needed at that desperate point in the evening.
Sadly that is about all they do. High levels of Sodium Lauryl Suphate or equivalent foaming agents are needed to create the magic. Many people will not have a reaction to SLS but the problem lies in the drying effect they have on the skin (for more see my blog on what this SLS can potentially do to your hair here).
Children’s skin is particularly sensitive so they are likely to suffer more. SLS doesn’t necessarily cause real harm, they just certainly don’t do any good.
That is why I have decided to avoid bubble bath altogether, not being able to provide a natural alternative that competes with the bubble big boys.
So magic is going to have to come from elsewhere now in our household – probably by me getting soaked which always provides endless hilarity from the kids.
Oat oil. Our hero ingredient of choice.
Oat oil will be present through our whole children’s range. It provides deep moisturisation due to the high level of fatty acids it contains, making it a perfect oil for little people. Baby’s skin especially is very sensitive as it starts to adjust to the outside world. This can result in flakiness or eczema and oat oil is known for its nourishing, soothing properties.
Now Sandra and I have established this oil as our main stay throughout the range we will continue our development and research to build on this strong foundation.
I will very shortly have a new model to conduct my research on – definitely no animal testing here, just one little newborn baby doing his or her (life’s ultimate surprise!) bit in the name of scientific research.
]]>When I heard five of our products had won a series of accolades at the Free From Skincare and Natural Beauty Awards I was delighted for many reasons but most especially for the Pure Lakes founders, Sandra & Iain Blackburn.
As I continue to work, guided by Sandra, on formulating our new children and baby range I know only too well how much hard work goes into developing our products and it was wonderful to see their formulations and hard work recognised.
I took the train down to London to attend the Natural Beauty Awards ceremony – my enthusiasm being only slightly stymied by the prospect of slipping my swollen pregnant feet into heels in the stifling London heat.
We were being recognised in the value range category, something we were especially pleased about as one of the main principles of our company is to produce skin care that is natural and effective whilst also being affordable.
The ceremony itself produced conflicting emotions. I was extremely proud to see our name up on the big screen and it was wonderful to collect our awards. However, I was struck by the sheer volume of impressive, big brands competing across all the various categories.
I know that competition is healthy but it was difficult not to be daunted when surrounded by so many impressive and confident industry leaders.
Inside I was shouting to myself that Pure Lakes products are every bit as good as anyone else's and what helped me was thinking about you, our customers.
Awards are great and a wonderful mark of respect from industry peers. However, you are the reason the company works, and although we may be small we have our integrity and strong principles that you have recognised and we just need to keep doing what we do, making high quality and effective natural skincare.
As I sat on the train home I looked forward to seeing the children and Gareth. However, I also had a renewed vigour about the next steps for Pure Lakes. The energy and buzz of being surrounded by so many extraordinary people, all passionate about natural skincare, was intoxicating and as we pulled out of Euston I felt an excitement about the future and about the awards yet to come.
In the ‘Natural Health Beauty Awards’ Pure Lakes received a ‘Highly Commended’ in the value range category. The products that won were:
Neroli, Rosehip & Frankincense Facial Oil
Grapefruit & Lemongrass Hand & Body Lotion
Rose, Jojoba & Frankincense Facial Hydration Cream.
In the ‘Free From Skincare Awards’ the Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil & Hyaluronic Scalp Hydrator was short-listed and the Rose & Geranium Skin Repair Bar won a Silver Medal.
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Summer seems to categorise us – those who embrace it wholeheartedly with an instant perfect summer wardrobe, who can manhandle a pair of BBQ tongs like a pro and who can run in flip flops. They seem to unfurl and blossom like a well watered flower, never wilting in the midday sun. “Isn’t it brilliant?” you hear them say, “why can’t it always be like this?” Not at all annoying.....
Then there are those who just seem to dissolve in front of our eyes – who go from being charming people to scuttling from shade to shade muttering about buying a wider brimmed hat.
I suppose I am somewhere between the two – I certainly go very lethargic in the heat and crave nothing more than a pool and something cold in my hand.
The heat cannot last much longer surely so I guess we all need to try and enjoy it whichever way we can. Eight months pregnant and suffering from hay fever I'm not sure how much more I can take, and as for running around in flip-flops, I think that this, along with the BBQ tongs will have to wait.
To be honest I was even looking forward to being at the airport, just for the novelty factor of being on my own. However sipping coffee and browsing the duty free were quickly curtailed by airport robot intervention.
Having checked in online I thought I would simply drop off my suitcase but unfortunately there was no simply about it.
I had to scan my boarding pass which would generate a bag tag which I then had to stick on to my bag.
All well and good except I can’t get the scanner to work. I’m pressing the button, the queue is building, the stress is mounting and people are surging forward, their eyes accusatory as though it is my incompetence to blame.
Whilst searching for help I lose my place in the line, someone else is now wrestling with the scanner and suddenly my suitcase is disappearing along the conveyor belt…..without a tag.
Sorting it out took so long that I had absolutely no time for browsing, coffee sipping etc. I’m not sure that traveling with the children was ever this stressful.
I know life moves forward and rose-tinted spectacles are never helpful but I personally find even the unhelpful of staff preferable to a machine categorically ignoring me.
For me it highlighted our need for human interaction, to form a conversation with someone for whatever reason- be it reassurance or camaraderie.
It also made me determined to be more patient, most especially when queuing behind a pregnant lady unable to win out against a surly scanner.
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