chill.

this charming girl... part 18

...is cooling off!

18. ~ a popsicle (UK translation - an ice lolly!)

with all this hot, sticky weather ~ nothing beats a chilled, refreshing treat to cool off.

your skin is no exception ~ it will ♥ you for treating it to a soothing & moisturizing lotion or body butter like soapstar's aloe vera, cucumber & peppermint body butter 'aloe, aloe' whipped up from fresh, natural ingredients with shea & vitamin e. (pictured above)

after whipping up a fresh batch the other day, I was inspired to curate this cool treasury in gorgeous, summery greens ~ if only you could scratch the screen & sniff the refreshing scents of aloe, cucumber, peppermint & lime!

take a closer peek at http://www.etsy.com/cooling-off

if you need to chill out even more ~ check out  'aloe, aloe' cold process soap too. 

perfect for sun worshipers & skin exposed to the elements..

the 'aloe' aloe' range was inspired by the feel good & sensational summer sandcastle festival on victoria beach, cobourg, ontario. 

this year's sandcastle festival takes place on July 31st & August 1st.

join in the summer fun, then chill out. ♥

this charming girl...episode 12

put the kettle on...

(for a perfect brew.... )    12. ~ a mug of tea

it's part of my English heritage that'll never change - nothing beats a refreshing cuppa tea.

I drink tea of all kinds ~ Earl Grey, green tea, iced tea, fruity herbal combinations like raspberry & echinacea and good old, well brewed (that's 'steeped' in Canadian) English favourites like Yorkshire Tea, Tetley & PG Tips.

I don't care if it's brewed from fine, aromatic tea leaves in a traditional tea pot and served in a fine china cup & saucer, or from a everyday tea bag in a mug. I ♥ tea.

my daily morning fix even inspired me to create this Etsy tea treasury celebrating this beautiful beverage.

I'm obviously not alone in my adoration, the complimentary clicks & comments kept the treasury 'tae pot' SO hot,  it was featured on the Front page, Yay! ♥

however - there is another, slightly strange reason why  I am so fond of one particular tea bag brand... 

you may have noticed him earlier, Monkey.

he's one half of the legendary small screen double act that is 

Monkey & Al in the PG Tips TV ads.

we met him in a box of tea bags in an English supermarket, adopted him into our family.

when we moved to Canada, he bid farewell to his British friends and travelled with us.

he quickly settled into life in Ontario, he loved the warm summers and found his beloved PG Tips in the local grocery store.

he sometimes misses Al, but keeps in touch via facebook, and every so often he re-lives  their greatest moments on  YouTube, with misty eyes and a wry smile. ☺ 

go take a peek for yourself at a couple of their award winning classic performances....

...then raise a mug, to Monkey, Al & the perfect brew!

♥


previously...

this charming girl...episode 11

happy campers ☺

this beautiful & somehow nostalgic 'road trip'  treasury

created a while ago by the brilliant & hugely talented artist Meghann from the Botanical Theatre

reignited a certain spark forever in my soul - the desire to travel as a free spirit.

 visit Meghann's Etsy shop to discover her stunning pieces, all inspired by the subtleties of the natural world. Her images allow people to wander and explore what is not quite there, to see the beauty in the overlooked.

...and while that spark will have to patiently remain as a glowing ember for now, it has also brought my thoughts back to some treasured memories of Vintage Wheels... 

11. ~ a vw badge

i'm not sure what it is, but i have a cheerful soft spot for VW vehicles, like the Very Wonderful Beetle cars & the Vibrantly Whimsical camper vans! 

maybe it's happy childhood memories of camping in the countryside & trips to the seaside...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/suttonhoo22/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

...that irresistibly cheeky love bug, Herbie...

...or slightly ahem, hazier memories of magical mystery tours of the UK following punk rock bands with my dear friends Ju & Rich in their (mostly) faithful & (always) old cheery orange camper van...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slimjim/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

...or even,  far more recent & responsible reunions supporting worthwhile causes like Oxfam, at wonderful summer music festivals.

whatever the attraction of these automobiles with a sunny disposition , this love story will continue it's journey, i'm sure. ♥

have a great trip! ☺

life's little treasuries (take four ♥)

truly from the ♥

take a minute to check out the fabulous recycled pieces at 

'the house of hearts',

an Etsy store full of beautiful & unique vintage shoes, bags & clothing just waiting to be discovered ♥

all hand picked by the very talented Crystal who also put together these two wonderful treasury collections.

 

I think you'll agree, she has an eye for the something special.

Etsy obviously do, as they featured the treasury above on the FRONT PAGE!

so have a heart and join Crystal in her philosophy ~
 ♥ live your live guilt free by loving something that exists ♥

life's little treasuries (take three)

Yay! hold the front page ☺

fab finds by splurge

calm, cool & collected by pulpandpaisley

made in canada by somethingbunny

love is like a butterfly by soapstar

hold the front page...life's little treasuries (take two)

i know most soap stars are used to spotlight &  the press attention but believe me, it was a shock (an adrenalin filled fabulous one) to find one of my soapstar cast on the Etsy front page yesterday!

lawn & order's debut appearance was boosted by a wonderful supporting cast of gardening greats.

thank you to KB Shimmer- the producer of the 'how does your garden grow' treasury ♥

can't wait for summer? meet lawn & order ~freshly cut grass scent handmade soap

the grass really is greener...

life's little treasuries (take one)

stunning pieces from some of Etsy's finest

the good earth by soapstar

girly gorgeous by soapstar

life in multiples by botanical theatre

mother nature by the log chateau

i NEED my coffee! by soapstar

moody blues by little bear's mom

sunrise, sunset by soapstar

pink champagne by simple sundries