I have a pretty strange schedule at the moment. Not busy, not chaotic. Just strange. I spend a lot of time in transit sitting at airports and flying, I spend a lot of time with harsh lights on my skin and thick dollops of camera ready make up slathered on. Much of my time is currently spent interacting with folks, talking to cameras… writing. Which is why, last week I decided it was “me time”.
Healthy me time
For me, me time isn’t necessarily lounging on the couch stuffing your face with chocolate (though I’ve done that) but rather focusing on the stuff that makes life easier. Its getting the admin out of the way, cleaning out your cupboard and buying a printer and new vacuum cleaner (yes, such adult purchases. Argh!). I’ve done a bit of that. Not nearly as much as I’d like but still, it was done. I also took a little break and did something outside of my norm. I went to visit the Crabtree & Evelyn store at Design Quarter for an afternoon of high tea and exploring their new ranges. I didn’t know Crabtree & Evelyn actually did food items or that the tea room at the store is open on weekends and public holidays. It is worth the visit just for the delicious scones.
This isn’t a tech, gaming or geek post but I’m sharing anyway
When I think of Crabtree & Evelyn I always think of my mom, who used to have their hand creams always tucked in her handbag. But the products on offer now are so not meant for mom or granny. They have these divine new ranges that mix interesting new ingredients that not only give you proper care but also amazingly uplifted my mood and made me feel whimsical on leaving. Weird, I know. Here are my four favourite me time essentials from the new Crabtree & Evelyn ranges:
Wanderlust Dream Diffuser
I’m a little bit obsessed with diffusers BUT the obsession jumps between love and hate. I love them but I also hate them. For starters, the good ones are always super expensive. That’s no different with this baby, it is sitting round the R1000 mark. But sometimes they end up smelling too strong or losing their scent altogether after a few weeks. Despite all of that, I’m still considering purchasing this one, or settling for the scented candle which is a more affordable option. Mainly because the Wanderlust Dream smell is so incredibly beautiful. It immediately had me drifting to weekend lie ins, tangled in the duvets and cuddled into the chest of that special someone. Crabtree & Evelyn has this new “Modern British Home” range of diffusers and scented candles. This one is my pick but there is a different fragrance for each room.
Pomegranate and Argan Oil Nutri-Oil
I’m not big on oils usually. However, I tested out this Pomegranate and Argan Oil Nutri-Oil and I loved it. It isn’t “oily” and is soaked up by your skin quickly. It leaves a somewhat sparkly shine to the skin and feels light as a feather. The Argan Oil is also ethically sourced which is a big plus for me. Pomegranates are also my favourite fruity smell so the scent of the oil makes me a happy little bee. I feel like spritzing my dry winter skin with this oil each morning will give me a bit more of a spring to my step and the fruity fragrance will remind me of summer even in the chill.
Rosewater and Pink Peppercorn Body Gel
I find body butter heavy to apply. It feels like it sits on the top of my skin rather than absorbing in. Also, when it is hot it makes me feel sweaty. Which is why I’m a fan of this Rosewater and Pink Peppercorn Body Gel. Its a cream, ultimately, but the texture is more gel like. It is light as a feather to apply and doesn’t feel heavy on your skin. It has a relaxing fragrance to it with the hints of Rosewater not being overbearing. I think I might splurge on this for summer. I imagine cooling it in the fridge before applying would be a real treat for my skin.
Citron and Coriander Hand Recovery
This is possibly my favourite find at Crabtree & Evelyn. I’ve always known them for their hand care range but this hand recovery product is simply wonderful. It is a scrub, wash and moisturiser in one. You apply it as a scrub and rub it to scruff away dead skin. It has a gentle exfoliation. Then you wash it off. The scrub comes off easily but the joy is when you dry your hands as the hand recovery works as a moisturiser as well. So your hands feel heavenly with soft skin that smells like a mix of citron, honey, lemon and coriander. Ultimately you use this twice a week for optimal results. I cannot begin to highlight how great my hands felt after using this product. I’ve already added it to my online shopping cart.
Oh yes, that’s right. Crabtree & Evelyn have an online store for South Africans so you can purchase their products from the comfort of your own home. I know a lot of their products seem a bit on the pricey side but they do tend to last. I remember my mom’s hand creams going for yonks and I have a few of the hand therapy products which have lasted forever as well. I’m going to buy a few of my favs listed above and will give some honest feedback on how long they last down the line. Have you got a favourite product from Crabtree & Evelyn that I should add to the list?
Disclosure: This isn’t my “usual” type of post. I was invited to experience the new ranges at the Crabtree & Evelyn store. I really loved these products and decided to share because sometimes you need a little pamper me time too.
