Women of the World Festival

Here at the Amazing Blog, we love to hear about the powerful things women can do and advocate for women to become their strongest selves. Therefore we are delighted for the return of WOW - the Women of the World Festival at the Southbank Centre in London.

The festival is designed to champion gender equality, celebrating the wonderful achievements of women all over the world. The event started in 2010 and has since grown into a global gathering of people who come together to inspire women and girls everywhere. Although its base is in London, the festival will be hosting events in other locations such as Cambridge, Hong Kong, Ethiopia, Australia, Iceland, New York, Sydney, and Egypt.

Over these next few days, you will be able to hear from influential and diverse speakers, take part in mentoring and workshop sessions, and see some of the greatest female comedians, musicians, performers, and writers around.

We know that this year's WOW Festival will be fantastic, and past incarnations of the festival have included speakers such as Annie Lennox, Caitlin Moran, Vivienne Westwood, Sandi Toksvig, Grayson Perry, and Gordon Brown. There are various events that you can buy tickets for, such as 'Louder Voices', a project where women over 60 can take part in a singing course, and 'Polari', celebrating LGBT women's writing.

We are sure that you'll be able to find something special to take part in at this year's Women of the World Festival. It is taking place from the 7th - 12th of March, and you can buy day and weekend passes, as well as one-off events here.

Di Blasi – Multitasking Butter and Prickly Pear and Manna Cream

When we get home from The Amazing Blog Office, the last thing we want to do is endure a long skincare regime. However, we have found a solution to this possible problem with the Di Blasi’s Multitasking Butter Makeup Remover as well as the Prickly Pear and Manna Cream. In fact, all you need is just these two products to have clean, soft and hydrated skin.

What we love about the Di Blasi brand and these two products is that they shorten your skincare regime in just two quick simple steps. The Multitasking Butter not only removes your make up with ease but also soothes and hydrates your skin. The ingredients contain no alcohol, so you can wipe away the impurities without stinging your eyes. The Multitasking Butter can be used as a face cream, lip balm, hand cream and even helps to soothe your sunburn, so perfect for the forthcoming summer season. Blended with Shea and Mango Butter, calendula flowers, wheat oil and infused with organic lemon essential oil; which gives it a lovely light fragrance.

The Prickly Pear and Manna Cream will give your skin that extra hydration without leaving behind any oily residue. It is ideal for either oily or combination skin types as it has a blend of natural polysaccharides and mucilage from the prickly pear pads, with sugars from the Manna (which is grown in Sicily) all of which will help keep your skin looking tip top for the spring.

For that glowing and youthful looking complexion, purchase online at Di Blasi here which is £35 for the Multitasking Butter and £32.70 for the Prickly Pear and Manna Cream here.

Pure and Light Organic Creams

Here at The Amazing Blog we believe that truly natural products are the best for our skin, while on the hunt we came across Pure and Light Organics. We were lucky enough to try the Essential Face Cream and the Loving Mother and Baby Cream. Pure and Light believe that great skincare comes with simplicity, a philosophy that translates into their all natural ingredients. Interestingly the brand finds inspiration from ancient knowledge of herbal medicine and aromatherapy, balanced alongside information technology of homeopathy.

The Essential Face Cream uses shea butter, to give it a creamy texture, along with organic oils of rosehip, grapeseed, borage, argan, macadamia and avocado to name a few. All of these oils contain vital anti-oxidants and vitamins that our skin craves; it balances, hydrates and revitalizes our skin. We loved how smooth the formula felt and the hint of orange blossom in the scent, after a few uses our skin felt deeply nourished and smelled fantastic. Take the time to massage it into the skin making sure to push up; this is a way to stimulate the collagen in your face as well as providing a peaceful and relaxing end to the day. It is recommended for all skin types and for any skin conditions, so get yours here for £29.

Mothers often have concerns regarding the products they are using both on themselves and their babies. These worries can disappear thanks to Pure and Light Organic’s Gentle Body and Face Cleanser and the Soothing Barrier Cream, both of which are part of the Mother & Baby range; it is specifically designed for safe use on mother and baby’s sensitive skin. The wash contains a combination of 8 active totally natural ingredients, these include lavender, calendula, and marshmallow root. The result is a sulphate free wash that soothes, encourages much needed relaxation for both mother and baby, as well as keeping their skin soft and thoroughly cleansed. We loved the potent lavender scent that takes over the senses to ensure a state of serenity. 

The cream contains 18 active ingredients including chamomile, yarrow, marshmallow root and silica. All of which are gentle on the skin yet still powerful enough to deal with irritation and dryness, the chamomile is calming, balancing and works as an anti-inflammatory. This is a multipurpose cream that can be used on multiple skin issues, even on babies from 3 months and onwards. We found the cream was extremely hydrating, absorbed quickly and left our skin feeling extremely soft. If you’re a new or expectant mother make sure you order yours here for £18.

Thame Food Festival

Here at The Amazing Blog, we have found a fantastic foodie’s day out! The eighth annual Thames Food Festival takes place in a beautiful historic market town in Oxfordshire on the 26th September, bringing you a host of celebrity chefs and of course superb food and drink. There is even the chance to show off your baking skills in The Big Thame Bake competition that will be judged by a few celebrity bakers. These are certainly ingredients for a brilliant day out.

Raymond Blanc OBE will be making the short journey from Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons to cook live for us in the cookery theatre. Watching him is a joy as his talent and passion for cooking could inspire anyone to get in the kitchen. He will be joined by Sophie Grigson, for those of you who are unfamiliar; she has opened Sophie’s Kitchen at the Story Museum in Oxford. Here, she offers various homemade food dishes for all to enjoy, as well as offering a children’s class to educate and inspire a love of cooking from a young age. I’m sure many of us would’ve appreciated this knowledge when learning to cook for ourselves. Sophie will also incorporate some of her favourite dishes from the café in her session.

The festival isn’t for adult enjoyment only, they have organised the first ever cooking demo catering specifically for children, taught by MasterChef winner Natalie Coleman. Children will have the opportunity to learn the basics on how to cook and try new exciting foods, a perfect way to keep the kids proactive in the kitchen. Adults will be able to see an interview with Natalie and purchase signed copies of her new book Winning Recipes for Every Day.

If baking is more your forte, Richard Bertinet will share the secrets behind his sell-out bread making classes. This is a fantastic way to learn a few tips and tricks if you missed out on the classes available at The Bertinet Cookery School. The baker will even be signing copies of his many baking books in the pop-up book shop. Be sure to clear some space on the kitchen shelves, this book shop is a space in which visitors will have the chance to meet an array of celebrity chefs and build up their cookery book collection.

Arguably, the most exciting part of the day is the festival’s very own baking competition. The Big Thame Bake gives visitors the opportunity to rise to the occasion and show off their own baked goods. The winners will be awarded their prizes by none other than Frances Quinn, the Great British Bake Off Winner in 2013. Along with other Bake Off contestants, Luis Troyano, Miranda Browne, and Howard Middleton, Frances will then be interviewed by Lotte Duncan.

Give you and your family a fun, food-filled day out by checking it out here. The Thame Food Festival takes place from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 26th September 2015 in the heart of Thame town centre. If you are interested in participating in the Big Thame Bake, sign up here for only £5, of which is donated to a local cause. 

Siam Botanicals - After Sun Artisan Body Oil

After a long summer of holidays and sun exposure our skin can feel a little stressed. Here at The Amazing Blog, we want to give our skin some much needed TLC. Siam Botanicals have come to the rescue with their After Sun Artisan Body Oil; we had the chance to try this luxurious blend.

Although named an After Sun Oil, the usage doesn’t end there. As well as cooling and moisturising sun damaged skin, it also works as a clarifying massage oil. Siam uses 100% natural botanical oils that are compatible with the skins lipid layer, in plain English it absorbs into the skin quickly. We loved that surprisingly the oil had no greasy texture of residue, it simply provided lasting hydration, nourishment and protection.

Siam Botanicals uses only the finest natural ingredients, free from toxins and impurities. The After Sun Body Oil is made up of the usual blend of authentic Thai oils to make a rich, silky emollient base. But the potent fragrance is created from a combination of Coconut, Peppermint and Tea Tree. The minty scent gives of a soothing and relaxing aroma once melted into the skin, perfect for an evening massage. Their minimalist approach to packaging also lowers their impact on the environment.

If you want to nourish your stressed summer skin with an effective and soothing oil, order yours here for £12.65.