Ok, it's been a bit bleak and the breeze is more than stiff in Norfolk this week but, when the sun does shine in our great big skies the light is just beautiful at this time of year. It's tempting to hibernate and keep your toes warm indoors but so, so important to get out into the air and light when it's possible to beat winter blues.

So soak up the rays, boost your vitamin D (while protecting your skin...of course) and get the energy flowing....then reward yourself with winter stews by the fire.

It's been a brilliant week for ethica skincare!

After installing the new designated ethica stand at back to the garden in Holt we returned on Saturday for an in store visit to give complimentary hand massages and meet some of the lovely customers.

On Sunday westacre theatre hosted a Christmas craft fair with scrumptious cakes n gifts.

And today ethica skincare arrived on the elegant shelves of Thornham Deli alongside all kinds of local delights.....all in all a brilliant week and thank you thank you to our lovely retailers xx

We at ethica are thrilled this week! We love our mention in North Norfolk living magazine. (Featuring our fresh as a daisy cleanser) and are soooo excited to be joining all of the fabulous treats on the shelves at the newly refurbished Thornham Deli.

Next Saturday you can visit us in Holt where we are holding an in store promotion at the fabulous Back to the Garden ...come along for complimentary hand massage & free samples of our 'my precious' facial oil serum.

It's all going on this month ... Anyone would think it was nearly Christmas...which reminds me.... Look out for gift ideas on www.ethicaskincare.com

Happy shopping to all festive season lovers xxx

The weather is glorious and the temptation to sit in the sun (if time allows in our busy lives) is considerable.

Vitamin D....great, we love that. Sunburn....Noooo! We know about that by now. However, hyper pigmentation is an issue we aren't always aware of.

Hyper pigmentation (darker patches or in even tanning) can occur when hormone balance effects your skins melanin distribution....and it's very hard to deal with when it occurs.

So...what can be done? Prevention is the key. A high factor sunscreen will help. Remember to re apply! A fabulous hat also a stylish and at the same time sensible option. The risk of hyper pigmentation is greater if you are pregnant, in puberty and menopausal (hormonal upheaval points)

So protect and prevent is the phrase to remember xx

Harness the power of plants with their super antioxidant properties, vitamins , minerals and natural energy . It's the shorted route to glowing, healthy skin...no doubt about it...you are what you eat.

Juice and eat raw at every opportunity and see your skin improve in a matter of days. Excellent natural skincare without nasty additives goes hand in hand with this regime x

Papaya or PawPaw is not just a delicious, smooth and gorgeous fruit to eat. One that gives valuable nutrients, antioxidants and health giving enzymes to heal and feed you. Good for bloating (prevention there of) IBS,constipation etc.
Columbus called it 'fruit of the angels' and its benefits to your skin are truly angelic! Being a good source of Vitamin A and Papain, Papaya extract helps in removing dead skin cells along with breaking down the inactive proteins.....all good reasons for putting papaya extract into the formula for ethica all scrubbed up superfine exfoliant...along with cleansing grapefruit essential oil and Hibiscus seeds (THE finest grade of natural exfoliant you will find)

As a true devotee to the clan of the 'Pale & Interesting' I feel very little desire to lie in the sun for the sake of a little colour and, frankly, have seen too many wrinkles and sun damage on worshippers of the tan to risk it anyway.  However I appreciate a healthy glow as much as the next girl and it does make us feel more summery so....there's a right and a wrong way to get it.
Exfoliate is the word to wave around, and do it well, scrub everything ladies..knees, elbows, shins and toes and heels...in fact, don't miss a patch as this is the foundation of faking it right.  Follow with a little light moisturiser on the extra dry bits before you sweep your product on in long upward strokes. Then give it time to dry before applying your skinnies and sandals....oh, and please....please....wear gloves. 

Take me back take me back to the days when a coffee break meant just that! Now a coffee break is a juggling act of e mail, tweet, text checking and a cold cuppa at the end !

However...Praise be to technology..now I can keep you informed of all our exciting new ethica developments and products at most any old time.....incidentally ..see ethica @westacrethestre on June 29 for crafts arts n more xx

morning all!....and welcome to one of our newest delights!
With a great big shot of mint to clear your mind, cajeput, or 'white tree oil' to clarify your thoughts and for its pain relieving properties, warming and comforting clove bud oil and a sweet dash of lavender oil to calm and soothe.
Massage into your touch points. Temples, wrists, ankles, backs of knees and.......feel better.

ethica 'just kiss me' lip butters arrive today and the first 5 people to e mail us with a request will receive one free! Delicious organic flavours and gorgeous essential oils blend to make luscious lips so....be hasty....grab one now.
We've started our ethica day with another glorious walk in the woods...here's Obi hamming it up for the blog photo with a huge and frankly, not at all practical, trophy stick!