Thursday, May 14, 2009

Nilla Nilla Giveaway!






Hey kiddies... Don't forget my lip balm giveaway! Simply follow to enter into the draw to win a Nilla Nilla Summer Pout Balm of your choice... There's 4 to be won!

AND/OR

Be in the draw to WIN the Nilla Nilla Summer Collection - YUM!!! Sign up for updates on the right to enter.

Drawn End of May, 09' - GOOD LUCK!


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Herbal Infusions...


Everything happens in cycles... I could get all philosophical about this as my dear close ones know, but I will keep it strictly business here! 

I manufacture organic products, including lip balms, body balms even a dreadlock range, jaTaa. Amongst them all is a range I feel a very close connection to - Pilgrim's Ointment. For those that have been following my blog for some time would have noticed, I did a post about the Camino de Santiago. It is a pilgrimage across Europe to the north west edge of Spain. It is very loooong. It was during my 550+ km walk, that I damaged my feet. Both arches fully collapsed, pretty much on the first day! So needless to say I was in pain and agony every step of the way... I came across an ointment called, Unguento Tradicional, which did wonders for my feet - rich in arnica and aloe, it made it possible to keep walking day in, day out. 

When I came back to Australia, I couldn't get hold of this ointment. I was rather put off by it's petroleum content anyway, so I decided to put my manufacturing skills into making my own, natural and organic 'unguento' or ointment. This is how I came up with Pilgrim's Ointment! Today I have a healing lip salve, and a warming liniment and soothing ointment, each containing 17 plus herbs, all designed to relieve pain and promote healing.

So back to cycles, earlier this year, I was madly busy with my Nilla Nilla Pout Balm range. I could not produce enough, then out of the blue, I received order after order for my jaTaa dreadlocking products. I just caught my breath, when the Pilgrim's Ointment orders started creeping in. It was subtle but nevertheless, raided my stock and now I have only 2 ointments left!

"Make some more!" did I hear you say... yes I am, but there's a catch. The oil I use to make Pilgrim's Ointment, is a herbal infused certified organic jojoba oil.
The process takes 3 weeks in total as I only infuse my oils via the cold process method. This method takes time, but nothing great was made in a day! I pack all my herbs into a glass jar and pour on my oil. I only use certified organic dried herbs and certified organic jojoba oil. It is an incredibly pricey option, but the results are worth every penny! Jojoba is my choice because it doesn't make your skin feel greasy or oily - so important! Jojoba is actually a liquid wax at room temperature and is the closest substitute for human sebum, so this is why it sits so well on our skin!

Anyway, the sun was peeping through the clouds and I was in awe of the simple beauty in front of me. I get a kick out of the colours and the beauty of the infusing process. I just hope my camera captured it for you to enjoy...

Saturday, May 2, 2009

My cute pup...


I was taking happy snaps of my little girl today as I often do...

I could not stop laughing at this rather unflattering pose!

I think she looks gorgeous as ever, of course!

xx

Posted by ShoZu

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Melbourne Indie Crafters & Artisans... Read On!

Curious Oyster is the name of a boutique in St Kilda. Sharing the premises with Vintage House, Dorothy and Evelyn, this small boutique is a collection of all things handmade in Melbourne, Australia.

Being an organic bath and beauty crafter, I've always been on the lookout to how I could best display my range and get my name out there. Now that I have a little store, I would like to offer Melbournian Crafters and Artisans the same opportunity!

Every two months I am going to select an artisan/crafter from each major category and invite them to display there wares in a cube space. There will be 8 cubes (37.5 x 37.5 x 30) in total.

Mail outs will be sent upon each turn around to advertise the current gallery offerings. A reminder email will also be sent in the middle of the gallery period. Twitter and Facebook updates will be posted throughout the period as well.

In addition, all the products displayed will be listed on the Curious Oyster Online store.

You are completely in control of how you want to display your goods within the cube space and you will be provided with sales data every fortnight so you will know how it's all going. It is a win win for both parties as we'll slice it down the middle!

If you would like to register yourself as a Melbourne Artisan, please fill out your information below or go to http://www.curiousoyster.com.au and go to the 'Sign Up' page. Alternatively email Annaliese directly at melbourneartisans@curiousoyster.com.au





















Please note: Understandably, we need to select products that suit the store layout, image and Curious Oyster's core values - For this reason we may not be able to choose your work, no matter how much we love it!

Monday, April 27, 2009

I've Been a Little Naughty...

I told you that I was going to let you know what the 5 Nilla Nilla flavours would be, over 5 consecutive weeks... but it has been truly maddening getting my boutique up and running along with everything else!
Well anyway, a little suspense is good for the heart, I say : )


So here she is, Nilla Nilla No.5 - Jaffa!
She is a blend of two scrumptious flavours, orange and chocolate... Chocolatiers have known this blessed union of flavours for years, so why not enjoy it on your lips? Better than on the hips!
Each Pout Balm is meticulously hand crafted and packaged in a retro slide tin, each adorned with a gorgeous vintage pin-up girl.


So here we have it... The 5 Flavours of the Winter 2009 Season:


All Available in Boutiques May 2009!
Go to www.nillanilla.com.au

All Handmade in Melbourne, with Love xx





Sunday, April 26, 2009

mmmm... Blogs & Peppermint Tea!







Sometimes, when I'm really busy and should be making my goodies, I end up scrolling through my beloved blogs with a nice cup of peppermint tea... Being wintery and cold today, I thought I could share a few I've been reading lately...

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Thank you for Following Me Down the Rabbit Hole...


A big THANK YOU to all of you who follow Curious Little Oyster!

At the end of May, I am going to select 5 followers who will in turn receive a Nilla Nilla Pout Balm (your choice of Original, Minty, Arancia, Coco, Lime or Limon)! Sign up for updates and news as well and you could win the entire Nilla Nilla Summer Collection!!!


If you too would like to be included, just click the follow button at the top right of my blog. If you already follow this blog, then good luck!

The 5 lucky ones will be selected on: May 31st, 2009!

Nilla Nilla Pout Balm Summer Collection 08/09

Nilla Nilla Original Pout Balm