Guest Post: Packing Tips with Magi

Today I've got a guest post for you from a friend, Magi, who worked for John Lewis & Partners all her working life - she's got some great tips for holidays - do read on!

Hi, I’m Magi (Spratt) and I've been a friend of Sandra’s for a number of years. I worked in John Lewis as a selling Partner all my working life and loved it.  Now retired I bake, cook, container garden, read and pander to 4 cats.

I’ve always been able to pack, frequently packing for friends and family. Only problem is I’m not there for the homeward voyage. I gave a talk at work once on holiday packing and had to repeat it to other departments so it must have worked!

Before you go Photocopy all passports, travel documents, insurance, phone numbers along with home address, copy of any meds taken, keep in case in case... Have it all copied on your phone too. Mark outside of your case, obvious I know, both sides, great idea I once saw was wheelie bin sticky numbers. Get ziplock bags, one for earphones, chargers etc, your meds and copy of prescription, mini first aid kit, plasters, wipes, diarrhoea pills (saves doing the embarrassing actions in a foreign pharmacy). You’ll know exactly where everything is and no loose objects to hide in the bottom of the case.

Use things like shampoo, shower gel and skincare for a fortnight or so before you go, you’ll not feel so bad about leaving them nearer empty and more space for coming home cause you always bring more back! You know you do! (I love this idea of taking half full bottles and either finishing them or leaving them behind nearly empty!)

Here's Alfie helping out

Packing: Line cases with towels leaving 3/4 over the edges, when packed fold in and should your case open in transit at least everything will stay in. Mix contents of case, a little of everyone’s in each case, heaven forbid a case goes missing but at least all your butts are covered. Pop socks, underwear, make up into shoes and trainers, in a food bag is good as you can then reuse them bring wet swimwear from the beach. Pop in some empty carriers to separate dirty clothes from clean on way home. Disposable shower caps make great covers for shoes, protecting clothes from marking, pick them up on hotel visits.

Now a contentious one. It does make sense. We all like new clothes for our holidays but ...... take old underwear, teeshirt, night wear, towels, things the kids have almost grown out of and leave them. Less washing on return, more space. Roll all the clothes, roll them round the toiletries that are wrapped in a food bag, less chance of leakage. Pack shoes round edge and work from one end to other.

Hand luggage: Change of underwear, wipes, toothbrush and paste just in case. Wee snacks that won’t melt or mush. A days worth of any meds you may take. Card game for the kids at the Airport.

Self Catering: Have a coffee and stock up on salt, pepper, sugar sachets. Cheeky but useful. Keep passports and travel documents in one place. No getting to desk and having a panic. 

Resort: At last Keep all Sun products in the fridge. Cold after sun is just amazing, trust me. Empty lip balm tube could be used for rolled up money as an empty wipe tube would hide valuables, wee bit extra security. Have a fab-u-lous holiday and don’t be good!

Huge thanks to Magi for all her helpful hints and tips! 

DIY Beauty: Floral Bath Melts

Lucy over at No Mud, No Lotus very kindly agreed to do a guest post for me. Her bath melts look amazing and would be a perfect Valentine's Day gift. I'll be making them..and soon!  Over to you Lucy..

Hello! My name is Lucy, I write a blog over at No mud, No lotus.

I was very happy when Sandra offered me an opportunity to guest post on her lovely blog and wanted to dream up something that Sandra would enjoy for my post. 

I am a huge fan of bath products. For me, there is nothing more soothing than a long, steamy bath and playing around making my own bath products makes the whole ritual even more special. 

These bath melts are an easy DIY for a little treat for yourself, or as a gift for a friend. Now, as with all oil based bath products, please be extra careful getting in and out of the bath and give the bath a good clean afterwards to get rid of any oil residue.

You can customise the scents and key ingredients depending on what your preferences are. 

The melts in my pictures are made with rose and frankincense essential oil, cornish sea salt, bicarbonate of soda, coconut oil and rose, lavender and calendula flowers. I chose these to provide a relaxing and skin soothing blend, but you could use any butter or oil that is solid at room temperature (but will melt in warm water) as your base and choose herbs and oils to your own taste and needs. I like adding some salts/bicar or milk powder, as these help give the water an even more silky feel and for the added benefits of these ingredients for your skin and state of mind. 

Here are some ideas of other combinations: 

Invigorating melts: bergamot oil and dried rosemary leaves (rosemary flowers would also look very pretty!) in a base of shea butter, with sea salt. 

Soothing pre-bed time melts: lavender oil, dried lavender flowers, milk powder and epsom salts in a coconut oil base.

Sensual melts (just be careful, the bath will be slippy!!), ylang ylang and rose oil and  rose petals in a cocoa butter oil base with pink himalayan salts (to add a little colour and for the fantastic skin loving minerals). 

Here is how I made my melts:

Ingredients:

6 heaped tablespoons of organic virgin coconut oil

6 drops of rose oil

6 drops of frankincense oil

1 tablespoon each of rose petals, calendule flowers and lavender flowers

2 tablespoons of sea salt (optional)

2 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda (optional)

Equipment:

Plastic jug

Plastic bowl of hot (not quite boiling) water

Ice cube tray (or other small moulds)

tablespoon

Method:

1. Add a sprinkle of each of your chosen flowers or herbs to each section of your ice cube tray or mould.

2. Spoon the coconut oil (or your butter/s) into your jug and place the jug in the bowl of hot water to create a bain-marie. 

3. When it has melted completely, stir in your sea salt and bicarb (or any other powders, if using) and add your essential oils. Stir well until combined. 

4. Spoon the mixture into each section of your icecube tray or mould (this means you get a good mix of oil and salts in each section, if you pour, you'll tend to get the salts hanging around at the bottom). 

5. Allow to set in a cool place or the fridge for around two hours.

6. Pop out of the mould/tray and admire your handy work. Store your melts in a cool place in a bag, tin or jar.

7. Add 1-2 melts to your bath and enjoy!

I hope you have fun trying this out... what ingredients would you choose?

Find me on twitter and let me know!

Lucy

No mud, no lotus

xx