Continuing with the theme of scent I thought I would recommend two tried and tested favourite small businesses that I personally always have in my home, smell divine and are also sponsors of gifts on our Song of Seasons hashtag prize.
First up is Magic Organic Apothecary, I first discovered the Fortifying Green Bath Potion when a bottle was included in a goodie bag at an event. I was hooked from the second I put it in a bath. The scents from this bath oil waft around the whole house when you add this to hot running water and my personal reason for loving it is that it really helps to alleviate headaches (especially sinus pain) as it's designed to relieve aches and pains.
With decongesting, refreshing peppermint, detoxifying fennel, purifying fir needle, calming yarrow and sweet birch to help tone and ease achy muscles. Once immersed in the water, relax, breathe in and let the organic essential oils clear the airways and lift your mood.
I promise you I'm not being paid to say this, when not receiving a bottle as a PR package I have bought it for myself over and over again for years now.
Charlie who founded the MOA brand decided to make something for her child's eczema using only natural products, mostly they feature yarrow and other herbs but the newest product is a face serum based on a night flowering cactus, rich in anti-oxidants, to help restore the skin’s natural moisture content. Aloe vera, harked as the plant of immortality by ancient civilisations leaves the skin full of vitality.
Easily absorbed Prickly Pear Seed Oil contains supremely high levels of anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids to deeply calm and nourish, whilst Evening Primrose and Avocado Oil help to promote soft supple skin.
It is of course Vegan and cruelty free, the night serum Queen of the Night smells lovely and is a highly relaxing essential for your night time routine.
Second up is Smallest Light candle maker these are hand poured in Wales by Laura and also contain only natural and essential oils. I think we've all tried perfumed candles that end up not smelling of anything after the first burn or smelling like some cheap toilet cleaner instead of soothing and calming your mood. We received a candle from Laura for our Song of Seasons summer hashtag as her candles change with the seasons to suit the time of year so this fitted perfectly with our seasonal natural theme.
The Autumn candle is called Falls Gold, and The Smallest Light have a few ways to buy your seasonal products so please do have a look at their website. The Falls Gold candle is a blend of Cinnamon, Vetiver and Clove, a soy wax candle (and that's important), as soy is so much better at carrying the scents of essential oils. My research shows that Soy candles are non-toxic since they are made of vegetable oil, produce negligible amounts of soot, and release no known carcinogens into the air. Compared to paraffin candles, soy wax candles are much healthier for humans, pets, and the environment.
As mentioned before, both these are being gifted through our Song of Seasons hashtag so hop over there on instagram and join along with your seasonal photos of nature changing where you are. We endeavour to find really top quality products and hope that these two examples show the difference between a genuinely small made business rather than someone sticking their label on a cheap import.
I hope you like my photos of these two great products and if anyone would like me to photograph for them in a similar manner please do get in touch for a chat about what I could do to fit your budget.
The background wall in these photos is painted by myself using Annie Sloan chalk paint. One of the walls is a sponge effect using tester pots of Coco, Honfleur, Primer Red and white, and the top photos are blends of colours with Olive green.
