Herbally Uplifted

Jao is a mystical term used to prevent and cure disease…hmmm, sounds like the ancient mystics new a thing or two about mantras! Today Jao still represents a prevention to everyday ailments, Gale the founder of Jao explains further.

mbs: what sets hao products apart from the hand sanitizers out there? GALE: Jao Hand Refresher was the first boutique brand on the market way back in 1998. I wanted it to feel like a portable sink in which you just washed with a fine french lavender soap! We developed it without any other product in mind, so it’s totally original. Our blend of 5 antiseptic essential oils are also germ killers and armotherapy boosters; lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, geranium and sage. Our cosmetic blend means it’s gentle enough to use as a toner or aftershave for the guys, zit zapper, and underarm refresher. The fact that it does the job of many other products means you buy less and consume less plastic bottles!

mbs: what jao product you can’t live without and why? GALE: I can’t live without Jao Goe Oil. It is the best moisturizer out there for my dry, thin skin. After I shower i put some on my palms and rub them together to liquefy the oil and then apply to my legs and arms and hair. It’s really perfect after you’ve just shaved your legs because it absorbs really well and doesn’t sting. It’s a superb oil to travel with because we formulated it to be a pomade NOT a liquid. It contains 28 of the best oils and butters out there with nothing synthetic whatsoever. I love handing the box over to people and saying “read the ingredients!”…it really is the balm!

mbs: any new products offered at the holiday market? GALE: We will be showcasing our latest product which is Outscent.  Insect repellant essential oil parfum.  It smells like a walk in the woods captured in a bottle.  It’s a great winter and summer scent because it has mostly fir needle so it smells like freshly cut christmas trees, but I was trying to blend only insect repellant oils which is quite tricky to make smell nice.  In the summer you can wear it to keep the bugs away.  It’s a great gift for visiting your fancy friends who have country homes!

Healing (reiki) Hands

I don’t know much aout reiki but I know enough to say Heather is amazing!! Her demeanor and approach make her a caring and devoted healer. I recommend getting the mini session, I know I will!! Here is more about her love for Reiki.

mbs: What do you love about the system of Reiki?  HA: What don’t I love!?  It’s relaxing, it’s rejuvinating and it’s on hand whenever I like.  After taking an International House of Reiki class anyone has immediate access to this simple and effective practice to de-stress any time they like and it’s fantastically easy to learn.  Also if you haven’t done a class yet you can just go and get a treatment from a professional.

mbs: What do customers love about Reiki? HA: One of the biggest things people love about the system of Reiki is that it’s a fantastically gentle and non-invasive form of energy therapy.  It supports healing on all levels whatever your issue is.  Reiki treatments allow the mind, body and spirit to heal themselves in their own way so it’s very much working in tune with the client rather than forcing anything on them.

mbs: What should we expect at the holiday market? HA: At the holiday market I will be offering short try-out treatments and gift vouchers for discounted treatments and classes.  Reiki books and meditation cushions will also be for sale, plus Heather will be on hand to answer any questions people have about this system of natural healing.



Nature’s (handmade) Call

I love this jewelry!! It’s the perfect balance of luxury and nature, here is Masumi with the inspiration behind her lovely work.

mbs: what is the most inspirational part of nature for you, shapes, textures, colors…and why? L&L I think shapes. I sometimes cast from real twigs, leaves, or seeds in silver, it always comes up very unique and inspires me a lot. Then I start thinking how to combine those natural shapes with my own wax model for jewelry & home accessories.

mbs: what’s your favorite natural material to use? L&L: I love wood. Because every piece of wood has different color and grain even if you choose same types of wood. So every time I use a same wood and same finish, each piece looks different and has unique character.

mbs: any new products offered at the holiday market? L&L: I’ll bring Salt&Pepper wooden pot with brass twig spoon, Cuff links for men, Winter color gemstone necklace and unique silver leaf post earrings.