Book Reviews - Inspired Living SA

Book Reviews, Lifestyle, Reviews and Features

The Rain Book of Natural Soap Making

I recently attended the launch of The Rain Book of Natural Soap Making, at Casa Labia, in Muizenberg. I love Rain products, so I was naturally curious, to find out more about the process of natural soap making!

We were first given the opportunity to mingle and meet the other media representatives attending and a chance to soak up the splendor that is Casa Labia!

After enjoying some social time, we were then treated to a demonstration of how to make natural soap from scratch by Bev Missing, who is the author of The Rain Book of Natural Soap Making, as well as the brains behind Rain Africa.

I have used the melt and pour method in the past, to make soap for my girls school market day but the “proper” method is far more involved! Below you can see exactly what goes into making natural soap:

As it took Bev the better part of two years to perfect the art of natural soap making, I think that this craft is definitely not for the impatient person! From the detailed list of equipment you will require, most of which you probably have in your kitchen, to the to the raw materials needed, it is definitely something you need to be passionate about!

Rain Africa have also created a YouTube channel, where you can find step by step tutorials on natural soap making.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/Gl-lxx4iu8I[/youtube]

So if you would like to find out more about the history of Rain Africa and explore the process of natural soap making, then this book is definitely for you! You can purchase The Rain Book of Natural Soap making here the RRP is R220.

Disclosure Ranking:2

Book Reviews, Books, Children, Family, Parenting, Reviews and Features

Reflections in Motion

We all understand the importance of treasured memories, especially those of us who have lost loved ones. Photography has always been my way of preserving precious memories and I love looking back at my photos to see how my girls have grown. Another way to preserve these memories is through journaling, something I wish my mom had done for me.

I thought I would share these wonderful journals with you, brought to South African by Martine Donachie, the founder of Reflections in Motion.

Having lost her father to Chronic Kidney Disease in 2009, Martine was inspired to change her life, find a way to add more meaning to it and somehow, honour the memory of her late father. After achieving a Certificate in Coaching Practice, Martine founded her own coaching business, Reflections in Motion, which focused on life and business coaching, making use of journaling to reflect on one’s life journey.

In 2011, Martine was introduced to the “From You to Me” concept. Having a clear understanding of journaling and experiencing the loss of a parent, Martine immediately recognised the synergies between these two concepts… and the rest is history.

From You to Me was founded in the UK by Neil Coxon, and is now brought to South Africa by Reflections in Motion.

Bump to Birthday is a pregnancy and first year journal, allowing you to record your pregnancy, birth and “firsts” in great detail, in a gorgeous hard cover journal. There are lovely framed areas to put your ultrasound pics or photographs of yourself, as your “bump” grows. What a wonderful way to record this amazing time in your life and then show your child once they are old enough to understand!

Our Story – For My Daughter is a wonderful way for you as a mom or dad to record all the amazing things that happen in your precious daughters life. From her first year, you can record all life’s little adventures, where she went to school, what her favourite food was, things that you may not remember when she is older. You also have place to stick photos and make notes about her likes and dislikes. Oh and not to forget the pretty pink and red illustrations!

Our Story – For My Son is identical to the journal for my daughter but you guessed it – it’s blue!

With these journals there is no excuse for not remembering all the important milestones in your child life: when they took their first step, when they said their first word or for that matter what it was. It is something wonderful that you can do for your son or daughter and then present it to them when they are all grown-up!

Reflections in Motion hard cover journals are perfect to give as gifts; they are so pretty, beautifully illustrated and anyone would be delighted to receive one! If you would like to find out more about these and the other journals that Reflections in Motion sell, click over to their website here.

Disclaimer: These journals were provided to Super Mom Blog by Reflections in Motion for review purposes.

Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, Reviews and Features

The Witness by Nora Roberts

As I may have mentioned previously, I love to read novels filled with as much suspense and drama as possible. Then you can imagine how super excited I was when I was sent a copy of The Witness by Nora Roberts, to review. I have read quite a few of her other books but this is by far my favourite.

The book begins with a young sheltered teenager, Elizabeth Fitch being driven to rebellion, brought about because of her over-protective and controlling mother. Elizabeth has been forced to live her life the way her mother deems fit, with the result she has grown up never knowing the freedom of actually being a “child”. Against the wishes of her mother, Elizabeth steps eagerly into the unknown world of being a “teenager”, into a life of excitement and independence or so she thinks. Her unusually high IQ and ability to forge ID documents, lands her and a friend in an unfamiliar and rather dangerous territory – a world of night clubbing, underage drinking and seductive older men! Unfortunately in her quest for freedom Elizabeth is witness to an event that will change her life forever!

Twelve years later a rather mysterious woman called Abigail Lowery, who lives an isolated and rather reclusive existence, in a small town in the Ozarks, becomes the subject of interest of the towns Police Chief, Brooks Gleason. As a freelance programmer, Abigail designs sophisticated security systems. With both her in-depth security knowledge and her ability to handle a firearm, she has always been able to protect herself. She has up until now been able to keep her past hidden from the local town’s folk but worries that Chief Gleason’s investigations will expose her true identity and once again place her in harm’s way!

What neither Abigail or Brooks count on is the emotional connection that they make. Will this be the undoing of all that Abigail has achieved?

With a quirky, unforgettable heroine and a pulse-pounding plotline, Nora Roberts presents a riveting new read that cements her place as today’s most reliably entertaining thriller author – and will leave people hungering for more.” – Penguin Group

I really enjoyed reading The Witness just the correct amount of suspense and drama! I would highly recommend you give it a read!

{Published by Piatkus Books, RRP R245.00 available at all good book stores}

Source: Penguin Books

Disclaimer: The Witness provided by Penguin Books for review purposes