Happy Soaptember!
Do you know it's currently Soaptember? I've asked to take part in this Instagram campaign to help promote using a bar of soap and to ditch the plastic, swapping bottles for bars. I’m sure if you give it a go, making one small change against the war on plastic, you will be hooked!
Liquid soap has ten times the carbon footprint of a bar of soap. This is because of the chemicals it contains and the plastic packaging it comes in. Over the last two years I have successfully converted many friends and some family after giving them samples of soap to try.
For me, making cold processed soap is such a relaxing activity and I don’t see it as work. There is a basic recipe to follow, some safety rules to adhere to and ingredients must be measured precisely. Once the soap has been in the silicone mould for 48 hours, it is cut and left to cure for approximately 8 weeks. I love to walk into my ‘curing’ room and inhale the fragrance.
This month I went back to my favourite market in Stockport, not far away from where we live. Last year, I was there every month it took place and made lots of new friends and met some lovely customers. Since February I’ve had a back injury, causing lots of problems and forcing me to stay at home. So, at the market, I took the other half to help and a really comfortable chair. It was so good to have a day out!
My stall was right in front of the old indoor market hall. Unfortunately, there is a great sweet stall and I ventured inside to fill a bag with chocolate and sweets! This reminded me of my daughter when she was really young. We were living in Germany and a friend of mine came to stay. She took Hannah to a shop where you could buy pick and mix sweets. My friend put a few sweets in a bag for her. Hannah was absolutely horrified and asked rather cheekily ‘well aren’t you going to fill the bag?’ I always remember this embarrassing moment when I see pick and mix now!
Over the last few weeks, whilst de cluttering, I have been really proud of myself for learning to let go of things that are not important to me. I’m still working through rooms and drawers. My main achievement to date was getting the other half (the biggest hoarder on this planet) to go through his wardrobe and take out items he no longer wanted.
