Month: April 2013

Review: Coconut Oil

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Who doesn’t want long, soft, healthy hair?

A few weeks ago, I was browsing through one of my favourite websites, Pinterest, when I came across coconut oil, after reading through the number of benefits, I decided to give it a try.

Essentially, coconut oil is used as a hair care oil and helps it to grow and reduces the protein loss for dry and damaged hair.  Regular massage on your head ensures a dandruff free scalp and stimulates hair growth.

Coconut oil is white and solid at room temperature, can be used in foods, enhancing your immune system (perfect after too many late nights) and research has found that it can aid weight loss if your trying to shed a few pounds.

It can also be used on your skin, acting as an effective moisturizer, particularly for dry skin.

I purchased ‘Fushi Virgin Organic Coconut Oil’ on Amazon, £8 for 250g which may seem a lot considering but it really is worth it in my opinion, particularly if your using it for different purposes.  It arrived only a few days after I ordered it and after doing my research was happy that I went for a product that was free from artificial chemicals and did not test on animals.

Before using the oil I did my research, many girls on the Internet said on this particular product a little bit really did go a long way and they were right.

1. I scooped a teaspoon amount into a microwaveable dish, put into the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Be careful not too use too much, remember a little bit goes a long way and too much will leave your hair greasy.When I took it out the microwave it dissolved into my hands.

2. Before applying to my dry hair I combed through ensuring that the product was distributed evenly.

3. After massaging it into my scalp and paying particular attention to the ends of my hair, I clipped it up and left for an hour. Leaving it for as long as possible meant that the oil would penetrate into the hair shaft.

4. I then washed it out, shampooing my hair twice to ensure all the oil had been washed out and condition as normal.

5. When blow drying my hair my hair did feel very smooth and manageable. It’s advised this deep condition is used twice a week to see the effects of healthy, long hair.

Give it a try at home!

Fushi Virgin Organic Coconut Oil is perfect to use on your skin, hair and in foods

 

SOURCE: Pinterest and Organic Facts website

 

Something unique – Rock Paper Scissors

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Are you looking for somewhere different to shop? Somewhere other than the ordinary high street shops?

As you probably already know Lincoln is full of beautiful boutiques and independent shops.

Most of these are situated at the top of the famous Steep Hill.

But recently more independent places have been opening up on and around the high street area.

One of these is cafe, shop and ‘crafterie’ Rock Paper Scissors.

The ‘crafterie’ opened on the 11th of February in Guildhall Street in the city centre, and is proving to be quite popular.

Two women stood outside the door of a purple painted building with bright decorations. The one on the right is holding a gingerbread man cushion with detatchable leg, and the one of the left is holding a teacup and saucer

When walking past, the brightly painted outside immediately catches your eye and draws you into Rock Paper Scissors.

One inside, you are greeted by an array of beautiful prints on the walls.

When scanning around you can immediately see that it differs to other shops on the high street.

As for what to buy, customers can choose from illustrations, jewellery, home ware and greetings cards. All of which cannot be bought from anywhere else in Lincoln.

 

A cushion with the print of a panda wearing a yellow tie

The layout of the shop features a vintage sofa, chairs and tables with shelves that are stocked with a hand selection of books for people to browse through and read.

But what actually inspired the creation of Rock Paper Scissors? I spoke to the owner Elizabeth Dimmock, 26, who decided to open the shop with friend Michelle after she moved back to Lincoln.

“Rock Paper Scissors is about representing artists”, says Elizabeth. “I wanted to represent people making and designing things based in the UK. These tiny little industries and these amazing things they create like interesting new designs that don’t get recognised often. It’s good to represent them.”

But the shop doesn’t just sell gifts. There are also freshly baked cakes which customers can choose from, along with a wide variety of teas and coffees.

 

A table with a magazine called 'oh comely', a Japanese printed teapot that is blue and white and mismatching floral cup and saucer

These are ideal to sample when settling down for one of Rock Paper Scissors’ craft sessions, as the shop holds regular day time and evening classes of different events.

“At the moment we’re holding classes in crafts that the three of us who work here can teach,” says Elizabeth. “We’re looking to get more crafters in to share their skills though”.

“We’ve got a craft session coming up where you can make a steam punk mobile. The lady who works here, – Michelle, – is making them out of light bulbs and little metal thimbles. So that’ll be really good”.

The craft events in Rock Paper Scissors are something that Elizabeth is particularly proud of, and she says those are what define the shop.

“I think having the events on is something people think is really different. It’s quite a niche thing to provide something other than going out or drinking in the evening.”

So if you are interested in trying something a little unique and finding interesting gifts. Rock Paper Scissors just might the place you want to visit. Their website also tells you of upcoming events the shop has on, including a Mad Hatters tea party and a bath bomb making session (can’t wait for those)!

What are your favourite shops in Lincoln? Do you prefer the independent boutiques to the high street shops? Let us know.

 

 

The F Word: Body Image and the Media

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The next F Word is for the females.

A week ago I read Radio 1 presenter, Jameela Jamil’s Tumblr blog where she discussed the issue of body image within young girls.

Going to a girls school for 6 years I regularly heard size 10 girls pull at their none existence ‘fat’ then spent the rest of lunch time nursing an apple, something that I didn’t really understand.

So what is to blame for our attitude to body image today?

I went on to discover different articles discussing the link between the media and body image, particularly in females which has proven to be a considerable factor when it comes to body image.

Last year Vogue put Adele on its front cover which was amazing. Chanel supremo, Karl Lagerfeld disagreed saying ‘she was a little too fat’. His comments reached the headlines and  was met with much criticism, rightly so.

So why do we still attain to look stick thin when even they don’t? Air bushing is a well known tool used by magazines to make models and celebrities that appear in the magazines, more attractive.

However, for the issue of body image there is some hope. Celebrity figures such as Beyonce and Kim Kardashian are good role models when it comes to image.  Two curvy and beautiful women, both successful in their own ways, proudly display their curves, only good can come out of having women with figures like theirs on the front of fashion magazines.

Vogue is indisputably the world’s fashion bible, therefore much can be taken from the fact they have chose to stick Adele on their cover. One can only hope that the fashion industry will be more accepting to whatever size you are your beautiful.

A picture of a very skinny Victoria Beckham A picture of Cleo magazine with Kim Kardashian on the front cover wearing a pink bikini

Super skinny Victoria Beckham and curvy Kim Kardashian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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