Just got back from Achfary and delivering clothes etc for the show. I was having a look at some of the other exhibits they were really unusual and interesting. From clocks made from driftwood to rag rugs made from recycled clothing and some beautiful hats made to measure. I'm looking forward to the preview tomorrow evening when we are invited for wine and nibbles prior to the opening. So if anybody reading this is within travelling distance do go and visit there will be tea and cakes and it opens on Sunday 29th June.
Change of subject here but thought you might like to see the picture of Shula from yesterdays walk. Sorry just realised she does tend to blend into the burn a bit!
At this time of year people start going on holiday and stripping down to bathing costumes and that old problem of hairy legs is revealed in all its glory! Most hair removal creams contain some very questionable ingredients, shaving causes rashes and stubble and wax is generally petroleum based. So here is an idea you might like to try from Annie Bond -
Body sugaring is a method for removing body hair that is a cheap,
homemade alternative to waxing (or shaving). The theory behind body
sugaring is that the hair is removed by the root, and when it grows
back there will be less of it, and it will be softer and not stubbly as
it is if a razor had been used.
Body sugaring is done by making a paste of sugar, water, and lemon juice that has been heated to the softball candy stage.
After you have let the paste cool enough so that it won’t burn,
you spread it on your skin, cover it with cotton strips of cloth, and
then rip the cloth off like one does a bandage. Most find sugaring less
painful than waxing.
Due to many requests from readers for this recipe, I have
looked hard for what I have finally found and give you here, what I
think is the best formula:
INGREDIENTS
2 cups sugar
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup water
Equipment: Sugar thermometer
Combine the ingredients in a heavy saucepan, and heat on low
using a candy thermometer. Watch the mixture very carefully so that it
doesn’t boil over. Heat the mixture to 250 F on the sugar thermometer;
this is the hardball stage.
Remove from the heat and let cool enough to pour into a jar
without breaking or melting the jar. (Note that this jar will be
reheated in the future. Make sure it is safe for whatever form of
reheating you plan to do—in the microwave, or in a pan of water.
Rip clean cotton fabric in 1-inch strips. Make sure the cotton isn’t too coarsely woven.
This next step is very critical: Let the mixture cool enough so
that it won’t burn your skin. The first time I did this I didn’t let
the blend cool enough and I burned myself! Test the mixture on the palm
of your hand, knowing that is much tougher than the sensitive skin
under your arms.
Using a dull knife or Popsicle stick, spread the cooled sugar
onto your skin. Cover with the cloth strips, let set for a few minutes,
and then rip off quickly as you would a bandage.
In the future you can reheat the mixture to a warm and not hot
temperature (see above), and reuse. Note that reheating will thicken
the paste.
Go on I dare you to give it a go!
Linda