Beauty Out of Africa

Our Vegetable Garden Part 1

The rising cost of gas and food definitely added to my motivation to start a vegetable garden this Spring. Hubby and I have always done a few tomato plants every summer, but this year we decided to build a raised bed and really grow some serious veggies. The kids joined in on the fun this weekend. I am looking forward to a bumper crop of tomatoes, peppers, egg plants and lots of herbs this Summer

 

Put my 10 year old to work :)

He did a pretty good job too!

We're gonna have fun watching our food grow

Visit Shea Radiance at The Olney Farmers Market

It's Spring Time and The Olney Farmers market  is in full bloom. The main fare at this time of the year is lots of fresh greens, herbs and tomato seedlings ready for planting for the summer harvest. We spend part of our Sunday afternoon between church and the Olney Farmers market. We have vending booth were we sell our products and educate our customers on the benefits of unrefined Shea  butter. We do most of our sales on line, but nothing beats being able to meet customers face to face. You get to watch them sniff and sample the products and it really helps you understand what customers are looking for in a products

In addition to having live music, you can get fresh coffee from Southern Skies Coffee or try the wonderfully crusty artisan breads from Bonaparte or Atwaters Bakery. There are lots of other food vendors for the food lovers from ribs to omelette's. You absolutely have to check out this market. It's a great outing for the entire family. For more info go to Olney Farmers Market Site

Pretty Purses

I met Darshana Mathur and her husband Manoj at Beauty Night Out in Washington DC last month. They sell one of a kind purses handcrafted and designed in India.  The photos below do not do these purses justice. These purses are absolutely gorgeous to behold. I fell in love with a vintage looking beaded handbag that looked like it was made with raw silk. I especially liked the old fashioned brass clasp on the purse. Their web site will be up soon so you see for yourself how lovely these purses.

Beauty Night Out in Washington DC

I attended The Style & Image Networks annual Beauty Night Out (BNO) event this evening in the Carnegie Library Building, in North West Washington DC. Lot's of goodies, beauty items,  on-location spa treatments from The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, delicious treats from Cafe' Bonaparte, massages, pedicures and other beauty treatments

I had a great time meeting some really talented vendors at this event.

Met Stephanie of Tabar Handbag Boutique

When she live in Morocco, North Africa, Stephanie fell in love with the fine artisan leatherwork which she now imports and sells in her Gerogetown Boutique. Her handbags are unique, one of a kind handcrafted designs.

 

The Tabar Boutique in Georgetown

Shea Radiance Introduces Black Soap -Alata Samina

An Incredibly Exotic Cleansing Bar  -Natural, Organic Vegan Black Soap from West Africa

It is with much joy that I write this post about our new line of Black Soaps recently received from our producers in Ghana. The Alata Samina black soap is a little different from other black soaps because it is light brown instead of dark in color. The lighter color color can be attributed to the ingredients and the production process.

Sliced Bars of Black Soap

Why We Love Alata Samina
What I love about this soap is is the incredible rich lather it produces. It leaves your skin feeling squeaky clean.  I recommend slathering some rich shea butter based cream after bathing with this soap to complete the luxurious experience.

 

You  Can Get It Here
I have large Bath size bars available at Shea Radiance retail store. If you need bulk quantities check out Shea Radiance Supplies.