My journey through this book has taken me from Japan to Chibok. I have been inspired by Cosy Feeling shea recipe in my poetry; children who are carers to their parents and parents who want to be kids again.
It is a labour of about 7 years, a craft that I honed and was put into action as a 2019 Resolution. I set some timescales and pulled in collaborations: Amanda Williams produced the hand drawn illustrations, Kat Francois volunteered her freelance editing skills and I worked with Anne Holloway of indie publishing house, Big White Shed, to get this mother-load launched.
I will be scheduling some book landings (virtual and live appearances and workshops) in 2019 onwards to get the word out and by selling the book from this site it links into the other things that I do, 'cos I am a multi-talented soul.
]]>You may have forgotten your new year promises of detoxing and questing for eternal health. Did you forget that you are only as good as your last mini spa. Look, it's 3 clear months before the summer and it's never too late to get good habits on you. So, put down the tub of double creamed sticky doughie ice cream and consider that you want to look naturally polished and sprightly when the heatwave hits. At this rate, you may even be planning a warm Easter Break. I want to help you. Let's get that routine going.
First we need to make sure that we are resting well. Don't be tempted to watch the whole of the Prime or Netflix series. Just watch one episode. Then, slip on your headphones and listen to a 5 minute meditation you have previously donloaded or find a 5-20 minute version on Youtube. Now you are relaxing.
Next, go and brush your teeth and wash your face with Sheer B Liquid Soap containing shea butter and African black soap. Really enjoy the feel of your fingers massaging the soap onto your skin in moderate circles. Feel that?
Now, pat your skin dry with a towel and either apply a few drops of e of SheerB's massage oil to your face.
That is all.
]]>Smothering on a skin conditioner, such as SheerB's Chillax or Cosy Feeling body butters will make you remember what is the most important - you! And as we step through the winter into spring, we respect the stillness in the air and the fresh vibes that a new year brings.
What will your new habit be?
]]>Speaking of words, September has been about mixing my shea butters with some poetry..kinda!
]]>Our Black soap with shea sugar scrub will help to exfoliate the dead skin that is beginning to peel after the intense Egyptian sun that you soaked up (or maybe you stayed in the Ol' Blighty heatwave). After rinsing off, follow this up by digging out a good dollop of Cosy Feeling, spreading it across your palms and then applying to your body, one limb at a time. Come back to each part of your body to even out the distribution of the whipped butter across your body. Enjoy the look of the satin gloss effect of SheerB. on your skin. That is pure poetry for the skin right there.
Speaking of words, September has been about mixing my shea butters with some poetry..kinda! I have the absolute pleasure to be able to share my products at the 'Meet the Archive' event taking place on 29th September at Nottingham Writers' Studio organised by the dynamic Nottingham Black Archive. I will then be performing some of my poems for NBA's audiences at the same venue. If you can make it to top up on your SheerB. recipes or to take in some poetic vibes, then I look forward to seeing you there!
]]>Our skin behaves differently with seasonal changes. Some people produce more sebum oils in their skin and prefer something lighter and less buttery, whilst others find that their skin dries out and needs deep moisturising.
For the summer season I've created Zestful, a simple mixture of shea butter with some other body oils and a dash of Lemongrass essential oil. Inspired by my mum, this recipe really provides a sense of nostalgia and hope, especially during a time when young children are being separated from their parents or carers for no real reason. With the technology available to us these days, it is hard not to be a long-distance parent or bond with your child via an 'app' or on the phone. To ignore these opportunities, or to find this process deliberately disrupted, can lead to trauma or behaviourial issues down the line.
When I massage Zestful into my skin, I think of my mum and the challenges she faced as a single mum, and of the hope she instills when I run a catch 22 scenario past her in order to find a resolution or few.
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