In the Mood for a Sneak Peek

I love Winter at the Manor. Shorter days, darker nights. It's a completely different mood to the Summer. It's nearly the beginning of a new month. The site gets changed out. New deals. New steals. And of course, new debuts...

Flower Power

It is believed that around 5,000 years ago (3,000 B.C.), in what is present day New Mexico and Arizona, the sunflower was domesticated into a single headed plant with varying seed colors including black, white, red and the familiar black and white striped. Yes... the sunflower was domesticated in North America. And it's the only crop harvested around the world for seed that can make that claim.

Way back when, the seeds of this plant were pounded into flour, cracked and eaten as snacks and mixed with other vegetables. And evidence indicates that other parts of the plant were used in the making of ointments for snakebites and other skin conditions. And the oil from the seed was actually squeezed for use on the hair and skin.

Sunflower oil is utilized widely today in cooking, but also as a carrier oil for massage. It is chemically stable and therefore excellent as a base for natural balms, lotions and creams. It is easily absorbed and contains skin-adoring vitamins A and D, and more vitamin E than any other vegetable oil. It also has calcium, iron, zinc and phosphorous, minerals which help nourish and revitalize, while the oil moisturizes, softens, heals and protects.

Organic sunflower oil is the base of Manor Hall Lip Skippers Lip Balm, including the all new super-soothing Lip Skippers Mend Blend. Also made with calendula infused organic olive oil, this lip balm is ready to take on the harsh of the cold season. It's just what every pair of smackers needs this winter.

Soak It Up

A bath of water takes the weight off the muscles, which in turn gives your bones a much needed break. Make it warm, add some salts, and drops of lavender. A bit of plant or nut oil, and a chamomile tea bag too. Light a few candles, warm up your towels, and you've got yourself a nice little spa thing going on.

Come One, Come All...

Monday night and the newsletter crowd are having a Manor Hall Free Shipping Coupon Ball.

From now until midnight tomorrow night (Tuesday, October 16th), place your Manor Hall order, and we'll pay for shipping. That's it. No catches. Just a chance to stock up, and leave the weight to us.

Missing out? Sign up for the newsletter and you can get the codes, too...

Save Your Money

Another chappie... in another city... in another country, courtesy of Jen.

Who is Jen? Jen runs a consumer review blog called Products of the Day - "designed to help you buy better". And how does she help you buy better? She tries the products herself and gives honest reviews, regardless of how much she liked or hated the product. Sounds simple enough. But for anyone who reads reviews of anything, you always want an unbiased perspective. And she does that, sometimes to a product's unfortunate detriment. I think a post called "Don't Waste Your Money Alert" should be enough to let you know where this gal is coming from.
From this side, it's scary when you know someone is going to be perfectly honest with everybody about your stuff, but at the same time, I hold a dear respect for anyone who is so fair and honest in judgment. And that's not to say Jen is all bad, looking only to pick products apart and wait for the dust to settle. On the contrary, she is coming from a place of genuine concern for you, the consumer, and all your hard-earned pennies. The vast majority of Jen's reviews are positive ones. She knows what she likes, she tries them, and she highlights the good and bad (if any) points. Consumers should be able to get good solid information about a product or company, and Jen aims to be that, and succeeds. All that is what lead me to contact her originally and send her some Manor Hall stuff for review. And thankfully (whew) she liked it.

I mentioned a chappie. Ah yes. Another chappie in another city in another country. Courtesy of Jen. Thanks to Jen, a Honey Me Smooth bar made it all the way to a replica of the famous Christ The Redeemer statue, in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. That's six countries now, if you are counting. It and many other Manor Hall soap bars can be seen basking in all manner of locales on my Around the World page.

I think Jen's going to enjoy her $25 Manor Hall gift certificate. Thanks, Jen.

October Earlybird Giveaway...

The newsletter went out last with some steals and deals, and as the month begins we’ve got another Early Bird giveaway for all earlybird orders. Place your order before midnight on Wednesday October 3rd, and we’ll throw a complimentary Lip Skippers moisturizing lip balm into your order box when it ships. Don't you just love something free...?