Otis Skincare

It’s that time of year again, when the long storage bags come down from the loft along with the oversized holdalls containing all the accoutrements we at The Amazing Blog  need to take our place on the slopes before packing in the odd black run or two. Padded suits, skis and boots, goggles, back packs and the odd snowboard add up to a whopping amount of kit required to ensure we can enjoy a week or two of uninterrupted bliss on the mountains.  Fortunately for us, not every essential item we need requires it’s own ergonomically designed sheath to protect it from the battering it will receive between home and the chalet. Take our skincare for example- as essential as those laminated planks we intend to swish about on - indeed as essential as the aforementioned goggleswhich shield our eyes; how we protect our skin is of vital importanceespecially when we are at an altitude where the elements can be very harsh on the old epidermis.

How thankful are we then that Otis Skincare have produced a range which slips happily into our hand luggage whilst packing quite a punch on the skin nutrition and care front. Obviously up there on the slopes, as far as our skin is concerned, the key goal is to avoid dehydration of our rosy cheeks, and this is where Otis have really come into their own by formulating the relevant ingredientsto ensure effective and long-lasting moisturisation through a 1-2-3 regimewhich couldn’t be more simple.

And of course, as we all know, if it’s simple, then the chances are the results will be more effective. Otis have looked at the most efficient way of cleansing, hydrating and shaving our skin, without us having to apply an excess baggage allowance in the process. The presence of Allantoin in all three products promotes the regeneration process from the outset, allowing the skin to soften, heal and ultimately allow deeper and longer lasting absorption. Aloe Vera sits alongside the allantoinbringing elasticity and allowing collagen repair with its anti-inflammatory action. From here we find the presence of Vitamin E, Jojoba and Tea Tree Oils, Shea Butter and Black Tea Extractin one or more of the products, with D-Panthenol, Glycerin and that stalwart of the moisturising process - Hyaluronic Acid adding to the mix.

If the above ingredients are making your mind boggle with the science of it all, then rest assured, the good news is that the Otis team have done their homework, and ours too, meaning all we have to do is open the packaging to apply, and then head out to face the world … or the slopes … or indeed the commute! Each product is worthy of a shout-out in itself, as the Daily Face Wash , Hydrating Daily Moisturiser and the Protective Shave Cream stand as well apart as they do together - this really is a superb range which identifies and rectifies the potential challenges our skins are put through, especially as we get older.Of course all this magic doesn’t come cheap: the FaceWash retails at £31, the Moisturiser at £47, and the Shave Cream at £34 from the online shop  here.

Balipura's Pure Love Crystal-Infused Healing Mist

For some of us at The Amazing Blog crystals and crystal therapy have become a significant part of our lives. Therefore the discovery of Balipura's Crystal-Infused Healing Mist was a very welcome one. Promising to enhance love, compassion, understanding and harmony; it Inspires us to be more positive on days when we feel a little jaded or down. This aura style spray is certainly different from our regular ‘uplifting’ aromatherapy oils that we use (peppermint, lavender and lemon). It was a joy to discover a new natural product that adds to our wellbeing without being just another aromatherapy oil.

Balipura is an authentic Indonesian brand, bringing their healing expertise to us in the form of all-in-one healing auric spray products. This brand is an interesting one, their premise forms from knowledge of energetic, crystal and sound healing, with the belief in the transfer method. This refers to the understanding that within our cells, we are sound and vibration. When using Balipura's crystal products, we can pass crystal vibrations into our Aura, thus healing ourselves. More simply, the brand believes that we must exercise our defence systems as much as we do our bodies, using regular spray products to encourage a new state of body and mind.

With this newfound knowledge, we were keen to try their Pure Love Crystal Infused Healing Mist. Promising to open and harmonise the heart chakra, this mist is made with volcanic spring water, cleansed with energetic healing and infused with crystal energy from rose quartz, chrisoprase, jade, aventurine and amazonite. As with all products from Balipura, with direct infusion of Bali Temple flowers into the water, so it’s not just the oils but direct energy from ylang ylang and cempaka, all of which enhance love. All these ingredients are pure, and only certified organic essential oils are used. The sprays are also 100% handmade and straightforward to use; simply spray the mist above the head from 2-4 times per day and you'll feel euphoric in no time!

We think that this an uplifting handbag essential - especially for when you have those low mood days. Get spritzing to open your heart chakra, enhancing and harmonising your day with Pure Love from the Balipura website here for $25.

By Sarah London's Organic Hair Oil

We're sure we're not alone in admitting that we spend our early mornings armed with a hairdryer (and other hot hair styling tools…) Whether we're going for a straight or curly style, we're no strangers to using a little heat to tame our tresses at The Amazing Blog; and while our hair looks well groomed, we do struggle with the inevitability of dry and damaged ends. From this issue emerged a quest to bring the shine back, bringing vegan brand, By Sarah London, into the frame. They introduced their Organic Hair Oil to us, and this has been our newfound way of injecting some much need moisture, and we couldn't wait to share this with you all!

By Sarah London is a natural and organic brand, providing products that demonstrate full transparency concerning ingredient choices. From humble beginnings, this brand emerged when founders Sarah and Lauren took on the challenge of soothing Lauren's skin while recovering from leukaemia. Their plant-based goal has since developed into a full range of hair care, body care and skincare products that promote conscious living and natural wellbeing simultaneously.

We tried their Organic Hair Oil, a 98% organic and 100% natural product, without the use of artificial ingredients, essential oils or fragrance. Instead, this gem of a find contains Argan oil, sea buckthorn oil and Vitamin E, actively working to prevent thinning of your tresses, and preventing the split ends often associated with the use of heat treatment. Having used this for a few weeks, we can confirm our hair looks and feels both stronger and softer, and with a pretty and recyclable glass bottle - it looks great on any dressing table too. The oil is also unscented, and is a nice addition in the market of heavily fragrance hair oils. To use, add 1-2 drops to clean, damp hair before blow-drying - or, we were also pleased to discover, this oil can be used before air drying your hair (with no sticky residue - bonus!)

To bring the shine back to your hair, visit the By Sarah London website here, where you'll find the 20ml bottle available for £21.50, a little goes a long way!.

Dadima's Panjiri

We might be enticed by a good beauty product (or two) at The Amazing Blog , but we’re also equally interesting in discovering new (and delicious) foods. One thing we’ve concluded through our foodie research is that there is often a focus on new crazes and fads – and while there is no problem with this, the focus on tried, tested and traditional recipes can often be forgotten. We were therefore thrilled to discover Dadima’s, a brand sharing our desire to celebrate the wisdom of generations, providing us with their traditional and high energy Panjiri – a recipe that has well and truly stood the test of time.

Panjiri or Panjeri is a recipe and staple that originates from the Punjab and Hyderbad regions in India. It is treated as a nutritional supplement and has been used for thousands of years, by the ancient Hindus and Sikhs. It is usually eaten in the winter to ward off cold and also given to nursing mothers as it’s considered very nutritional. The story behind this brand is a lovely one. Founder, Anneeka, has taken inspiration from the wisdom and knowledge of her grandmother, creating a version of the Panjiri recipe which is full of tradition and flavour. This inspiration even draws as far as the brand name itself, taken directly from the name she uses to address her grandmother. We don’t mind admitting that we were novices in relation to Panjiri, however we are now huge lovers of this high energy snacking food. With a recipe deep rooted in Ayurvedic medicine. It boasts a plethora of health benefits, boosting energy and fibre levels simultaneously, and thanks to the handmade recipe, both artificial preservatives and added sugars are avoided.

For those wondering what this snack tastes like – we concluded that it is a cardamom and sultana infusion with a kick of almond, fennel, ginger and carom seeds. The texture is soft, making it easy to sprinkle over porridge, fruit or yoghurt. The texture comes from the use of semolina and ghee, while melon seeds, dessicated coconut and Arabic gum are all used to add flavour. We tried the no added sugar version, but for those with a sweeter tooth, the traditional version contains a little extra sweetness. Alternatively, we have added a sprinkling of Panjiri to a traditional British crumble, for a flavour kick, but also to add a little bit of goodness to a perhaps not to good pudding!

To try this family classic for yourself, then both the original and no added sugar Panjiri products can be purchased from the Dadima’s website here for £6.99. Enjoy!

Morris & Co Travel Wallet

Amid all the political hoohaa that we are currently having to wade through on a daily basis, one issue that seems to be taking on an increasing amount of importance is … of course, what colour are our passports going to be post-Brexit? The burgundy red leather will clearly be phased out, and the suggestion is we will have to start co-ordinating our kit with something blue - but what kind of blue? Have these choices been made already? Perhaps the powers that be, have one or two more issues higher on the national interest list, but for those of us wanting to be prepared, it is important.

Which is where we at The Amazing Blog think that this rather glorious wallet from Morris & Co. comes in, which by-passes all the potential shades of blue/red/pink or even purple hues that may in fact be ultimately chosen for our pocket books of identity verification. As with all things Morris, the trademark printed packaging perfectly presents this travelling must-have - we have the ‘Acanthus’ version here which is then replicated in the lining of the wallet allowing the essence of design to flow through this product from beginning to end.

This William and Morris design wallet is just one of many gift sets that are available from Heathcote & Ivory who’s style embraces the world of interior design and the great British outdoors, simply making it part of everyday life. Every product is designed or formulated in London, and their collections are a confident mix of bright colours, floral patterns in both vintage and modern styles; with attention given to every detail - which is the distinctive hallmark of this brand. With spaces for your credit cards as well as the all-important passport, we can edit down those bulky travel companions of days gone by which end up needing extra overhead locker space once we have squeezed all the essentials in. This version is streamlined elegance which can happily nestle in your bag or suit pocket without screaming to the world ‘it’s in here somewhere!’

William Morris of course was one of the greatest figures of the Arts & Craft Movement and, should we choose to, we can be greeted with exceptional examples of his work and design philosophy at every turn, from houses that he designed, to the vast archive of wall coverings and fabrics which went inside them. Synonymous with a game changing time period in Victorian Britain, the work and values, which he pushed forward. All of which can be seen being reinvented and adapted to our modern way of life, thanks to the exciting path the Morris & Company team are following.

This little wallet represents so much more than just a pretty cover for our passport - it is a symbol of some of the best creativity in our design heritage. And whoever said that good design must cost the earth needs to eat their words, as at £24 or thereabouts, this is a steal! Available from here at Heathcote Ivory, or from stockists like John Lewis & Partners.