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Biovene Barcelona 's beauty products are fabulous in every way. Besides the important fact they are ethically sourced and never tested on animals, the high quality products come with a very reasonable price tag.  Biovene produce a range of organic, natural skincare, haircare, lipcare and suncare. All products are manufactured using minimal packaging material while bottles are made from 100% recycled material. The company is all too aware of the harm cause by plastic pollution which includes the fact that over 700 different marine species are killed either by plastic ingestion or entanglement, resulting in more than 100 million animal deaths a year. A shocking figure. Two-thirds of all seabird species are also affected. For example 98% of albatrosses have ingested plastic while 40% of their chicks die when fed this by their parents. Unlike humans, wildlife cannot discern plastic from digestible materials so if something resembles food then they assume it is food. Jellyfish-eating species including ocean sunfish and sea turtles, mistake plastic bags and balloon ribbons for jelly medusae, while animals including cows and dogs often eat plastic contaminated with human food.  If you haven't already done so, then do give Biovene products a try. Available from their website the products are suitable for various skin types including sensitive, oily, dry or combination.   Start-up drinks brand Bemuse is shortlisted in the Brand Launch of the Year category in the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2022. Having just celebrated its first anniversary, the brand is vying for the ultimate crown against food and drink sector big-hitters including Mars Food, Princes and Walkers. Nature inspired Bemuse supports the UK’s dwindling bee population by reimagining ancient honey drink mead for a modern audience. My interest piqued, the company kindly sent me some drinks to try. I can say that they went down very well indeed especially on these, the hottest days of the year! Besides the fact Bemuse is deliciously tasty, the drinks are low in sugar, alcohol and calories, all natural and gluten free to boot. Can't be bad, can it? Let me tell you about the flavours available. Light and fruity Hops Infused Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously crisp and hoppy.' Brewed with wildflower honey, the flavour may change slightly depending on the flowers the bees go to. Pair this one with fish or barbecued meats. Raspberry Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously fresh and aromatic'. Light and refreshing, this contains orange blossom honey and raspberries. The scent is light, citrusy, with a super-refreshing taste which has the merest hint of sweetness. Pair with tart dressings and sauces or enjoy with cheese, salad or dessert. Ginger & Cardamom Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously zesty and fragrant'. Brewed with apple blossom honey, it has a pleasant, fresh scent and added zing due to the addition of aromatic ginger and cardamom. Pair with spicy, highly seasoned foods or something with a sweet glaze or sauce. Tarragon, Basil & Hops Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously tangy, smoky and refreshing'. The honey is from ling heather blossoms found on Scottish moors with the addition of tarragon, basil and hops. Delicately refreshing, it is slightly tangy with a mild sweetness and hint of smokiness. Pair with light seafood or herby dishes . Co-founder Anna Chalov explained, 'From the beginning, we had a very clear vision for Bemuse and wanted to create a non-alcoholic drink that was refreshing. tasty, low in calories but which also supported the natural world. In Bemuse, we have created a unique drinks category as the only range of non-alcoholic craft meads and which are produced by natural fermentation of honey, water and yeast, infused with natural ingredients to create four distinctive flavours. '  FDF award winners will be revealed at a ceremony hosted by Jay Rayner on 15 September. Bemuse sparkling low-alcohol meads are 0.5% ABV and available in 330ml fully recycled cans. https://www.bemusedrinks.com  images (c) Bemuse & Mike Pickup
Stockists include WiseBartender Bemuse has achieved wide distribution through online and specialist UK drinks retailers and the lightly sparkling, low-alcohol meads are a refreshing alternative for hot summer days. Bemuse has recently expanded distribution into the Netherlands, with discussions ongoing for distribution in other overseas markets and will shortly launch a crowdfunding campaign to expand and secure additional listings. 100% Olive Oil Mayonnaise from Hunter & Gather, perfect for dipping, dunking and dolloping!
 Hunter & Gather is the brand behind ‘clean’ condiments (100% Avocado Oil Mayo and Unsweetened Sauces) and winner of ‘Best of British’ at Ocado’s Rising Stars Awards. They launched a trio of 100% Olive Oil all natural mayonnaise , packed with goodness and free from nasties. That's good news for me as I LOVE mayonnaise. Let me tell you, I have an array of cookery books, many telling me 'how easy' it is to make my own mayonnaise. Okay, it's not that difficult, but it can be a bit of a palaver. I therefore opt for the shop bought versions, though they generally come laden with additives in the shape of salt, sugar and multiple preservatives. Hunter & Gather's mayonnaise on the other hand is made with only four ingredients : olive oil, free range egg yolk, apple cider vinegar and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt. The flavour? Creamy and fresh with a slightly sharp tang and what is REALLY wonderful is, you can taste every one of those four ingredients! Amy Moring, Co-founder of Hunter & Gather, says: “It’s about time mayo had a makeover. All too often, shop bought mayonnaise contains inflammatory seed oils or sunflower oil blends - poor fats with negative health impacts - plus powdered egg, chemical preservatives and added sugar. Our mayonnaise is made with 100% light tasting Olive Oil from ancient groves in the Cordoba region of Spain, pressed in the traditional way, meaning no chemical hexanes or solvents are used. The result is a product that’s pure, light and delicious, packed with healthful monosaturated fats and polyphenols and with absolutely no added nasties.” She continues, “At Hunter & Gather, our mission is to provide people with the tools to thrive through healthier food choices, education and recipes that are always free from refined sugars, chemical preservatives, grains and seed oils. Our new 100% Olive Oil mayonnaise is a huge step forward for real food products and marks an important milestone on our journey to improving the health of the nation.” Go on, give it a try, you won't be disappointed! It tastes so good you won't want to go back to ordinary-old mayo again. Hunter & Gather 100% Olive Oil Mayonnaise available in Classic, Olive & Lemon and Horseradish hunterandgatherfoods.com. About Hunter & Gather Launched in 2017 by dynamic entrepreneurs Jeff Webster and Amy Moring, to fulfil a lifelong mission to create a brand that proactively champions honest, tasty, real food, free from lazy sugars, grains and poor quality fats; shining a light on the nutritional shortcomings of taken-for-granted food categories: ketchups, mayonnaise, cooking oils and dressings. In a UK food landscape where 63% are overweight, the brand is re-writing the rule book for real food, changing the way people think about what it means to eat well and creating ‘tools to thrive’ to pave the way for optimal health & wellness. hunterandgatherfoods.com images (c) Sophie Harrington ad/ gifted product - honest review   The clean waters around Wick in Scotland's far north provide perfect conditions for nutrient-dense seaweed to thrive. Seaweed is a source of prebiotic fibre, protein, magnesium, antioxidants and iodine, an often forgotten mineral which is essential for both minds and bodies. A superfood, in fact. Makes sense then to turn the local seaweed into delicious snacks and food. Win win situation - good for you and good for the planet. SHORE is the Scottish seaweed company who produce delicious snacks and food. They kindly sent me samples of their Seaweed Chips in Lightly Salted, Asian Peking and Sweet Sriracha flavours as well as a jar of Black Kale and Seaweed Pesto. Besides the taste, I love the fact that they are healthy - it's all down to that that seaweed again, packed with more minerals than almost any vegetable on earth, as well as macro and micro nutrients, antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals - all of which mean your diet is boosted whenever you eat it. SHORE tell me that because the abundant complex carbs in seaweed are slow to digest, you feel full for longer and of course, that helps cut your calorie intake. All natural flavourings complement a umami seaweed base, making these seaweed crisps deliciously crunchy and exceptionally more-ish.  SHORE's dedicated harvesteers live in some of Scotland's most remote communities. They are out in all weathers hand harvesting the best seaweed the shores have to offer.
You can buy the goodies at various outlets listed here shoreseaweed.com/where-to-buy/ Echoing the aromas of designer fragrances at budget-friendly prices, UK based Rebel Aromas focus on ethical beauty, offering vegan-friendly and cruelty-free perfumes. Not only that, THEY SMELL FABULOUS! I am astonished. Totally.   This isn't my first foray into the world of 'dupe' fragrances. I have tried a couple of others because they were touted as being 'just like the real thing'. To me though, they smelled of very little and an hour after spraying them on, there was no fragrance left. Perhaps that's why when I heard about Rebel Aromas, I thought, here we go again. I know, that's what you get for being cynical. Oh, I am running ahead of myself here. Perhaps some of you reading this don't know what a 'dupe' is - it's easy, they are labelled as such because of how similar they smell to iconic brands. Rebel Aromas offer an affordable alternative without compromising quality. So, what are some of the fragrances they offer? I'll start with Millionairess because it is super-gorgeous, magnetic ,alluring yet bold with floral and sensual base notes of patchouli and honey that define its luxurious character. Inspired by Paco Rabanne's 'Lady Million', you're going to feel pretty high-end if you choose this one with no worries about a designer price tag. If you are the kind of girl who wants to make a statement, this one is for you. Dark Opium is, as you may guess, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's Black Opium, a perfume which I have long loved. Top notes of coffee, pink pepper and orange blossom meld well with middle and base notes - vanilla, cedarwood and musk -to provide an intriguing yet seductive aroma.  Rebel Riviera captures the essence of Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino, fresh, citrusy, floral with more than a hint of rebellion. This is an exotic fragrance, possibly thanks to the addition of cruelty-free white musk. This one is great for daytime wear, it's sure to power you through from start to finish. Forbidden Fruits, an eco-friendly blend of pure botanicals inspired by Jo Malone's English Pear and Freesia, is sweet, fresh and totally captivating. Spritz in the vicinity of others and you will definitely get compliments. This one is elegant and sweet, capturing the essence of spring time whatever time of year you choose to wear it.  Rebellious Beauty is inspired by Lancome's La Vie Est Belle. This crisp, invigorating scent with top notes of pear, blackcurrant and iris is completely captivating, almost defiant. This perfume shouts fun and should be worn by those who know what they want and won't stop until they get it! The last Rebel Aromas perfume that I can tell you about is the feminine fragrance Rogue Whispers which captures the spirit of Carolina Herrera's Good Girl, a perfume I adore. Rogue Whispers is confident, bold with rich base notes which include tonka bean to add sweetness, depth and warmth. To sum up, I think Rebel Aromas has a fab range of perfume dupes, at prices which mean you can splash out and buy several to see which suits you best. Details of pricing and how to order on website www.rebelaromas.co.uk disclaimer: I received samples from Rebel Aromas but views are my own.  Everyone knows how important a good night's sleep is but unfortunately for many, it isn’t as simple as just getting into bed and nodding off. Sleep is just as crucial for our health and wellbeing as oxygen and water, but the trials and tribulations of modern life can make it almost impossible for most of us to achieve a full night of quality sleep. Whether it’s worrying about the cost-of-living crisis or stressing about work, you’re not alone. According to The Sleep Charity, 40% of people in the UK suffer with sleep issues and don’t get the recommended 7-9 hours per night. Never fear. Help is at hand from Claire Logan of boutique bath, body and home fragrance brand, ARRAN Sense of Scotland. Here are her top tips on giving your bedtime routine a major makeover to help calm, relax and prepare for that all-important sleep, as well as sleep-busting products to help improve the quality of your ZZZs.  Keep to a Sleep Routine Routine is a great place to start when you’re trying to improve your sleep. Decide when you want to wake up and work back from there. You should aim for between 7-9 hours a night to boost your circadian rhythm and get a properly restorative sleep. Try to get up at the same time every day if possible, including weekends. Being consistent with your sleep schedule helps reinforce your body’s sleep / wake cycle. If you don’t fall asleep in around 20 minutes or so, get up and do something to relax yourself rather than getting frustrated, which can be counter-productive. Go back to bed when you feel ready for sleep but try to keep to your scheduled wake-up time. It’s also important to think about your activities before bed and incorporate these into your sleep routine. Certain activities like high impact exercise, watching TV or learning a new skill, can be mental stimulants, not only keeping you awake for longer but also reducing your sleep quality. Swapping them for something more therapeutic, for instance, restorative yoga, breathing exercises, meditation or reading, sends a signal to the brain that it’s time to wind down and switch off. Avoid going to bed when hungry or too full as this can affect the quality of your sleep. Limit alcohol and caffeine as the stimulation they provide can take hours to wear off. Wash the Day Away Life can be busy so it’s important to destress and relax at the end of every day to improve your sleep. Start your evening routine by washing the day away with a bath or shower – Claire’s advice is to try to make time for a relaxing bath before bed at least once a week. Hot baths may reduce blood pressure and it’s also thought that a sweat from a hot bath can burn as many calories as taking a walk, a brilliant added bonus. Adding the right products will enhance your bath time experience, so try a detoxifying face mask and heavenly scented bath salts. Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes to allow the healing and relaxing properties to take effect. Transform ordinary bathing into a ritual bath, a ceremony to clear toxic energy and let go of anything that isn’t serving you. Use your bath to help set new intentions. Focus on what’s troubling you and add fragrances that will help deal with that. Lavender and Chamomile is great for relaxing while citrus aromas lift spirits and rejuvenate. You can also try writing your troubles down and burning them with a candle, a physical symbol of letting go, before getting into the bath to cleanse and rejuvenate.  Create a Bedroom Sanctuary One of the absolute best things you can do to reduce stress and promote good sleep is create a space dedicated to relaxation. Making your bedroom strictly a sleep sanctuary is a great way to sleep train your brain. If you don’t have the time or budget for a full refresh, here are some quick, affordable update ideas. Start by clearing clutter. Less is definitely more when creating a bedroom sanctuary. It’s much easier to fully relax in a space without clutter; a minimalist style is key for engendering a serene and calm environment without over-stimulating the brain. Banish light-emitting electronic devices that are proven to be disruptive to sleep. Add clean crisp bed linens in classic white for a luxury hotel feel. Channel tranquil vibes when thinking about bathroom décor, neutrals, pale blues and serene greens are known to promote a soothing atmosphere, whilst nature-inspired colours such as earthy browns, soft greys and sage greens give off an organic and calming effect. One of the easiest things to do is open the window daily to let in some fresh air. You can also try adding air purifying plants to help focus your mind. Easy to care for plants such as succulents are great for adding a touch of colour as well as being decorative and helping create a healthy environment. Introduce scented candles; a de-stress double whammy of calming fragrance and soft, ambient lighting. Worried about naked flames? Diffusers have the same effect and you can add in mood lighting with fairy lights or a dimmer lamp. You can also try is pillow or linen spray made from organic or natural ingredients. Spritz on bedding, soft furnishings or towels when required. A lavender pillow spray or pulse point oil can help reduce sleep anxiety and improve sleep quality. Some Sleep Essentials Ideas to Try
Sleep Essentials from ARRAN Sense of Scotland Lavender has long since been used to aid sleep, whilst spearmint is said to improve memory and balance hormones. Escape to your own island spa with ARRAN’s Glen Iorsa range. It's the perfect fragrance for soothing anxiety and promoting tranquillity. ARRAN’s Apothecary collection is inspired by the ancient crafts of the alchemist, tried and trusted remedies which act as an antidote to modern living. Try the Apothecary Seaweed & Sage range created with clary sage to promote restful sleep by helping to reduce the effects of stress. ARRAN Sense of Scotland creates bath, body and home fragrance collections inspired by and proudly made on the Isle of Arran. For three decades the family-run company has created evocative scents from its Home Farm factory, an old dairy farm near historic Brodick Castle. From the freshwater spring to a pinch of seasoned gorse, there’s a bit of Arran in every single product. images: all courtesy of ARRAN Sense of Scotland  I love visiting Kew Gardens and went along to have a look at a new exhibition by contemporary artist Marc Quinn which looks at the relationship between people and plants. Building on his interest in nature and the human experience, Quinn’s Light into Life exhibition showcases sculptures in the gardens as well as in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. Click on any image to enlarge Designed to offer moments of thoughtful reflection and interaction throughout the gardens, the exhibition examines our complex relationship with the natural world and represents one of the largest site-specific art projects at Kew to date. Working with specialists from fields including plant diversity, Quinn has created pieces based on significant plants from the Kew collections. Amongst these is a large-scale series of sculptures based on herbarium specimens of plants which have inspired drug discovery, including the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), a source of drugs used for pain relief. These abstract sculptures not only tell the vital story of our reliance on the natural world for therapeutic treatments, but also emphasise the constructive quality of humanity’s complicated relationship with nature. This theme is further reflected in Held by Desire; a large bronze bonsai sculpture taking centre stage in the Temperate House, the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse. Known the world over as the art of growing dwarf trees and shrubs, bonsai plants are kept at a consistently small size through careful pruning - perhaps the most painstaking manipulation of nature for aesthetic purposes.  all the images here are (c) Gilly Pickup Celebrating the garden's 175-year-old Palm House, Quinn's series of sculptural portraits of palm leaves are based on the Bismarck (Bismarckia nobilis) and Sabal (Sabal palmetto) Palms from within the glasshouse. The artworks are emblematic manifestations of our relationship with trees and their role in the shelter, food and fabric of daily survival for billions of people. Created in polished stainless steel, the mirroring reminds us of the role of light in the creation of plants and all living things. Also in the Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, a new exhibition in Gallery Six features botanical paintings co-curated by Dr Sherwood and Marc Quinn, alongside a selection of Quinn's drawings. These works reflect the plants inspiring the artworks integral to Light into Life, with orchids, lilies, bonsai and coconut palms.  Marc Quinn says: "As humans we are not isolated from our environments; we interact and exist within them as a part of nature. Collaborating with Kew, a world-class centre of botanical research, and its team of scientists and horticulturists, has underlined how integral the natural world is to my practice. The complex science of plants has always-and continues to-inspire my thinking as an artist. ." Accompanying books will be published by Kew Publishing. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is dedicated to harnessing the power of plants and fungi to end the extinction crisis and secure a future for all life on Earth. With Kew’s world-leading research, global partnerships and beloved gardens – home to the world’s most diverse collections of plants and fungi – Kew is using its trusted voice to shape policy and practice worldwide. As a charity Kew relies on visitors' support, not only to sustain the gardens, but to protect global plant and fungal biodiversity for the benefit of our planet. Exhibition admission included in a ticket to Kew Gardens. Pre-booking online offers best value visit.  Want a taste of Italy without the hassle of getting there? The answer is Canvino, a fabulous new sparkling vegan wine which comes in recyclable cans. Easier to transport than bottles, the cans are lightweight and the wine stays sparkly and cooler for longer!  image (c) Mike Pickup
The wine comes from grapes sourced from a family-owned vineyard which has produced wine for a century using the traditional Charmat or tank method. In case you're wondering, that is the main process used for Prosecco and Lambrusco wines. Canvino comes in two flavours, Rosé and Bianco, ideal for indoor or outdoor celebrations. Sparkling Bianco is a crisp and dry white wine, medium bodied, easy to drink. Although dry is style it is fresh and fruity with light floral notes. Rose is medium-dry, lightly sparkling and refreshing with well balanced fruit notes. Launched in 2021, all natural Canvino is the perfect companion for any event and is 100% vegan too. Marc Laventure, Co-Founder of Canvino, said; “The canned wine market has soared in popularity over the past few years in the UK, so we are delighted to launch Canvino as the perfect new addition to your favourite portable tipples. We’re proud to deliver crisp and refreshing Italian sparkling wines that are as easy on the eye as they are to drink. Whatever the occasion, add some fizz to the party this year with a Canvino.” Can I recommend it wholeheartedly? Yes, definitely. Gets a big 10 out of 10 from me! Canvino is available from houseofcanvino.com, Amazon and other selected retailers. (I was sent some cans of Canvino to try in return for an unbiased review, which all of my reviews are!) |
