Ain't That A Shea

Preparing the skin for the harshness during the drying months ahead is important. Waiting until the dry flakes appear before deciding the skin needs moisturizing attention is never a good thing.

Unrefined shea butter is a very versatile and natural moisturizer, having excellent soothing and anti-aging properties. Shea butter has been used for dry skin by African healers for too many centuries to count. It is high in non-saponifiables and has a unique fatty acid profile. Together, this makes for an incredible ability to moisturize and retain the skin's elasticity.

But the wonder of Shea doesn't stop there. It also helps to protect the skin against damage done by all kinds of weather. It repairs degenerated cells, and its vitamin A content makes it a true friend to excema, dermatitis, and skin blemishes. Many report the natural butter to promote and accelerate wound healing, scars, and stretch marks.

The unrefined butter has a characteristic "nutty" scent to it, that disappears after about twenty minutes on the skin. It is thick, easily melts when rubbed between the palms, and a little goes a long way. Intitially, for the first few minutes it feels a little greasy. Then, almost as fast as it melted between the hands it's gone, leaving behind a soft silkiness of protection that soothes cracks and eases dryness.

Piece of Cake

Almost every day of the year I am making something. If it's not soapy stuff, it's food. When it's not food, it's something crafty. I love to start with basic ingredients, and end up with a masterpiece.

Today is Thanksgiving Day. It's a time for family and a time to be thankful for things in life that we often take for granted. The cake being made today isn't being made by me. This masterpiece is being made by techy guy husband, and his wonderful mother. Both love baking, and neither get the chance to do such a thing together.

All year long techy guy husband does the techy guy stuff for me. My mother-in-law will make the drive through four states at the drop of a hat when I desperately need soapy help. Today is theirs, and I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm also gonna enjoy the cake too.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks Giving Week

It's the week of giving thanks, and Manor Hall is giving thanks and more, all week long. It's a thank you to all who shop with me, and a chance to pick up soapy gifts at a special price.

Through Friday the 28th at midnight, everything that isn't already discounted on the site (Mischief Makers, Multibuys, Monthly Specials and Sample Sizes) is on sale. 20% off on the site, and the usual freebies apply. Just apply the coupon code THANKS20 at checkout to receive your 20% off.

Happy shopping, and happy week of giving thanks, from Manor Hall.

What Happens In Vegas

Just got three great shots of a Honey Me Smooth bar trekking around Las Vegas of all places. I've never been there, but it certainly looks like an amazing place.

The above pic was taken at the Wynn Resort. You can head on over to the Around the World page to see the other ones, taken at Harrah's and Caesars Palace.

For those of you keeping count, Manor Hall soap has now been spotted Around the World in four continents, seven countries, ten states and Puerto Rico. Where are you taking yours?

Soak It All Away

Taking time out for a bath is one of the simplest home spa experiences, and dates back too many centuries to count.

As well as softening the water, the addition of salts to your bath alters the osmotic balance of the water. Because of such, less water is absorbed by the skin, reducing the pruning and wrinkling ususally associated with prolonged fresh water bathing.

Magnesium sulfate, more commonly known as Epsom Salt or Mineral Salt is probably the most studied bathing salt around, and its effect on the muscles and nervous system are many. Absorbed by the skin, its magnesium content has an anti inflammatory effect.

The many natural salts from around the world boast therapeutic qualities, with people traveling to the Dead Sea to relax in its famed buoyant waters while soaking up the high mineral count it is renowned for. The minerals found in the salt from the Dead Sea are also found in the skin but are often depleted, causing dryness and other associated problems. Bathing with Dead Sea salt allows the skin the chance to drink a little of what it may be short on, as it absorbs the various wealth of minerals that form a high percentage of its content.

The addition of salt in bathing also aids buoyancy. This is particularly helpful after a hard days work, when you need to take the weight off your feet. The relaxion eases away stiffness, helps with tension, and improves the way you feel.

Salts open the pores, purify and cleanse. They soften skin, and help with insect bites, minor rashes and skin conditions. Salt also aids exfoliation, helping shed the skin of the dry flakiness that prevents the new skin from absorbing the moisture it needs.

Being able to relax and unwind at the end of the day is conducive to a good night's sleep. Taking time out to step into the comfort and ease of a nice warm salt bath, is a rewarding end to any demanding day.

Patchouli Essential Oil

A plant native to India and Malaysia, Patchouli is known as "puchaput" coming from two hindustan words, 'patch' meaning 'green' and 'ilai' meaning 'leaf'. Its dried leaves were used to repel moths when transporting cashmere shawls to Victorian England, and the smell became a signature of authenticity, without which the shawls wouldn't sell in England.

Distilled from young leaves that are dried and fermented first, patchouli oil is like a fine wine, getting better with age. Its smell is a strong one, very rich, sweet and musky, and is used widely in perfume.

Antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory, patchouli oil is a magnificent tissue regenerator. Helping to stimulate new cell growth, it promotes speedier healing, and aids in the prevention of scars. Patchouli oil also cools down inflammation, insect bites, and fungal infections.