Our summer sale starts Thursday 1^st July until the 25^th July 2010.  There is an amazing 30% off a selection of our best selling furniture, kilim rugs and soft furnishings, all of which is available online, through our mail order catalogue and at the Warehouse Outlet in Wincanton, Somerset.

Some of the best furniture bargains include: Mallani Open Sideboard was £499 now only £349 – saving a massive £150; Mallani Wardrobe was £499 now only £439; Portcullis Hall Cupboard was £289 now only £239; Khimsar Slat Shelf Coffee Table was £199 now only £149 along with many more pieces to add to your home.

Accessorise your home with perfect soft furnishings and kilim rugs.  Examples of the great offers include:  handmade patchwork footstools in fuchsia and purple were £39.95 now only £34.95; Rajpoot sofa-king bedspread, choose from 5 colours, was £34.95 now only £29.95; Pali Kilim rug (180×180cm)  was £139.95 now only £99.95.

As specialists in fair trade Indian furniture, Myakka offers a comprehensive range of exclusive furniture and home accessories and with such fantastic offers in the Summer Sale, there is a bargain to be had for every style of home.

As well as our Summer Sale, we are also offering up to 70% off all of customer returns and end of line furniture exclusively at our Warehouse Outlet in Wincanton, Somerset.  Doors open at 10am on Saturday 3^rd July and everything is sold on a first come, first served so arrive early to grab the best bargains!

Myakka is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Available in Bamboo, Organic cotton or recycled plastic bottles (RPET), the E-POUCH ™ & E-SOCK ™ are constructed from clever combinations of these eco-friendly materials; from the outer fabrics and recycled filler, through to the recycled plastic strengthening elements and the recycled packaging.

Two E-POUCH™ designs from the range by Anokimobi

Launched by Anokimobi in response to the growing demand for eco- friendly products without the ‘green’ price tag, the E-POUCH ™ provides environmentally aware retailers and consumers a green alternative to mobile phone pouches on sale in the high street. Even the e-pouch.co.uk website is hosted on a carbon–offset server.

Tom Tranter, Director of Anokimobi Ltd explains, “For the last few years Anokimobi has been designing and developing environmentally friendly products for the retail and promotional markets.

As specialists in the mobile phone accessory market it was a natural progression to design a range of functional, attractive and eco-friendly phone pouches without charging a ‘green premium’; an extra cost which can inhibit uptake of many green products by both retailers and consumers.

And just because it’s an eco-friendly product doesn’t mean it has to be basic, we have produced the E-POUCH ™ in a variety of smart designs which incorporate clever integrated features. Within the range are plain E-POUCH ™ versions as well as pouches with printed designs, many of which are eco-themed which has been very well received by our test market.”

Although initially Anokimobi are launching a range to suit the mobile phone market the E-POUCH ™ can also be used to hold cameras and Mp3 players. The E-pouch can be produced in any size or shape to house other electronic items and Anokimobi will shortly be launching a more protective, robust version suitable for the iPhone and other gadgets.

Versatile, stylish and low cost

The E-POUCH™ is made from eco-friendly, sustainable or recycled materials
The E-POUCH™ is designed to fit most mobile phones, Mp3 players and cameras
The E-POUCH™ does not carry a green price tag
The E-POUCH™ comes in a variety of styles, colors and prints
The E-POUCH™ can be made in any size and shape and can incorporate a variety of extra features
The E-POUCH™ has a Patent Pending status

E-Pouch ™ is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

This facial routine is a little bit different to the myriad facial skincare available.
 
Very few if any facial products today are 100% Organic. To achieve our 100% status we at Balm Balm have had to forgo creams, lotions, gels & clays – the ‘expected’ content of a facial routine.

But YOU CAN Cleanse Tone & Nourish your skin without these ingredients and that is exactly what we have done at Balm Balm.

WHY though, should we want our facial routine to be so different?

BECAUSE creams, lotions and gels require non organic additives to stabilize and preserve them due to their water content and clays are minerals, the use of which, deplete our earth’s resources.
 
For Balm Balm products, we want none of this. Using Balm Balm’s gentle 100% organic facial regime allows your skin to return to its’ naturally vibrant condition – the way it should be.

There are NO down sides to caring for your skin in this way just a change of mind set.

The absence of water, stabilisers, emulsifiers and preservatives allow these products to simply do what they say they will without confusing the natural balance of your skin.

The 100% Organic Balm Balm Facial is a breath of fresh air. It returns us to traditional ways of caring for our skin that showed in our mothers and grandmothers’ ‘peachy’ complexions before skincare became so complicated.

This regime will not be for all – but for those who are yearning for something that will not irritate or interfere with their skin’s natural function and will not dry, clog or force-feed their skin, this will be the end of their search and a beginning of something simple & effective.

PRESS OFFICE Laura on 07824 443556 / email laura-hinton@sky.com BALM BALM on 020 8339 0696 / email glenda@balmbalm.com
Hi-Res pictures & Samples by request

Balm Balm Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) is a measurement of the antioxidant rating of different foods. Antioxidants fight against harmful free radicals, known to be one of the main factors of the ageing process and also associated with the growth of cancerous cells. Although antioxidants are produced naturally in the body, the number declines with age, hence the need to acquire them from our diet.

Antioxidants work by significantly slowing or preventing the oxidative (damage from oxygen) process, caused by free radicals that can lead to cell dysfunction and the onset of problems like heart disease and diabetes. Antioxidants may also improve the immune function and perhaps lower your risk of infection and disease. In your body, the antioxidant process is similar to stopping an apple from browning. Once you cut an apple, it begins to brown, but if you dip it in orange juice, which contains vitamin C, it stays white.

Different fruits and vegetables contain varying levels of antioxidants. The higher the ORAC score, the better the food can neutralise free radicals. By choosing fruits and vegetables with a higher ORAC score, you can maximise your intake of antioxidants in your daily diet. Look for fruits with bright colours – lutein has a yellow pigment found in sweetcorn and turmeric and orange pigment in cinnamon and squash; lycopene is a red pigment found in tomatoes and melon, and purple pigments in berries and grapes. In general, the deeper the pigment in a fruit the higher its ORAC score. This is evident in fruits like cranberries, blueberries, plums, blackberries, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, figs, cherries and oranges. However, high levels of antioxidants are not only found in fruits and vegetables. Nuts such as pecans, walnuts, pistachios and cashews also rank highly on the ORAC scale. 

Our new muesli contains blueberries, raisins, apples, pecans, walnuts and pistachios. We’ve also added pumpkin, sunflower and flax seeds for that extra omega and mineral boost. And to add even more goodness of antioxidants and flavour, we’ve put a pinch of cinnamon in. We were at the Your Healthy Living Show in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms on the 12th and 13th of June letting everyone taste the lovely samples! It is available to buy in our stores or from our webshop here. 

One of our newer, popular products is the Red Grape Cherry Antioxidant Drink by Mile High. With an extraordinary high ORAC value of 3,600 (compared to tomato juice at 275) it’s well worth a try, buy at either of our stores or buy online here.

Real Foods Ltd is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

There is a time honoured tradition of Egyptian cotton luxury Italian bed linens such as Frette gracing the world’s elite hotels to provide a luxurious and distinctive experience for guests.  What made and still makes this bedding so special today starts with the best cotton fibre, through Italian craftsmanship in weaving and finishing.

The end result is fine bed linen which is not only luxurious and silky soft against your skin to give you the feeling of sleeping in one of the world’s elite hotels but also exceptional quality which lasts and lasts through laundering. The quality and comfort of Egyptian cotton bedding is now available in organic cotton with Italian finesse. Read on for six reasons on why organic Egyptian cotton bedding is so special.

1.       Characteristics of Egyptian cotton

Egyptian cotton fibre is longer than other cotton fibres so permits the spinning of extremely fine yarns, needed to weave high thread count bed linens.  This long and also thin fibre allows strong, smooth continuous lengths which do not break like shorter staple, inferior cotton fibres and results in fine bed linens which are very soft and supple as well as durable. 

2.       Organic cotton properties in addition

How many consumers or hotel guests have slept in organic Egyptian cotton bed sheets? The advantages of organic cotton from a planet friendly point of view are obvious, but organic cotton fibres are really softer and longer as they are grown without harsh chemicals to break the fibre and there are wider benefits too.

Organic Egyptian cotton bedding is even stronger and durable because it is made from long staple fibres, so will last and last. Organic bedding is made from organic natural fibres and is completely toxin free, so it is great for sensitive or allergy prone skin.  As well as wrapping yourself with softness and comfort for a wonderful night’s sleep – organic fabrics are traceable, protect the environment, reduce chemical sprays and toxins for farmers and ensure fair trade. 

3.       Quality

Due to the long, continuous fibres, the cotton does not pill and the softness of the bedding improves with washing which means that organic Egyptian cotton bedding retains its soft and silky feeling of comfort. Even better, it doesn’t wrinkle too badly.

4.       Great in summer weather

Egyptian cotton is high on the moisture absorption and breathability scale which is important for a comfortable sleep. In addition to these qualities, its smooth surface feels cool in the summer. Even sleep with just a sheet and an organic cotton bedspread on top, perfect for hot, summer nights.

5.       Tradition

Bedding, luxury in the time honoured tradition of quality, to treasure and pass on as was the custom with linens in times gone by. This is bed linen you can pass on to your children.

6.       Investing in organic Egyptian cotton

So if you are looking to update your bedroom and want to enjoy the comfort of the world’s finest hotels, try the luxury of 100% organic Egyptian cotton bedding. Buying a set of bedding in Egyptian cotton costs a bit more at the start but will outlast inferior quality bed linens and just get better with age. So, the investment in bed linen saves in the long run as it will not have to be replaced as frequently. Going organic in your Egyptian cotton bedding does not add a great deal to the cost but does add wider benefits and leaves out the chemicals.

So if you choose to buy organic Egyptian cotton bedding, rest very well assured that you are buying the best for you and the planet, even when you are asleep.

Stephanie McIntosh runs an online luxury organic bedding retailer and wholesaler, which offers award winning organic cotton luxury bed linens for homes and hotels, certified by the UK Soil Association according to the Global Organic Textile standard (GOTS). She writes on topics related to organic textiles, including organic bed linen, organic baby bedding, kid’s organic bedding and hotel bedding.

fou furnishings is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Luxuriate this summer for less with 30% off award winning organic bedding in really high thread counts that will make your bedroom feel like a boutique hotel, plus free P&P. 10% off all baby organic bedding and kid’s bedding. 10% off all eco gifts, including natural shower gel & body lotion for her or shower gel and shaving balm for him. In great holiday sizes, even packed in their own bag ready for the suitcase. Or what about some recycled colouring pencils to keep them occupied during the summer holidays. Just visit www.foufurnishings.com from the 1st to 31st of July.

fou furnishings is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

For a short period of time we have reduced all of our current season’s Simple Shoes to make room for all the new designs that are arriving – like these fab Toemorrows

There’s up to 35% off so get a pair whilst stocks last!

The Green Apple is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

A gorgeous necklace, handmade in the UK from reclaimed copper and recycled aluminium, hung on a 16-18″ silver snake chain.

The Green Apple is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

YouGen is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more

Lanlas is a working organic farm in the heart of the Aeron Valley, a short drive to the coast of Cardigan Bay. There are free range chickens around the farm buildings and you may see the rare Red Kite flying overhead. There are footpaths down to the River Aeron, where there is also a cycle track into Aberaeron. The Lanlas cottages were originally part of the Llanerchaeron Estate, and the nearby Llanerchaeron House and gardens [now owned by the National Trust] are open to visitors much of the year. Llanerchaeron is also a working organic farm and two restored walled gardens produce home-grown vegetables, fruit and herbs. Their small shop sells pork, beef and lamb from the estate and fresh organic produce from the gardens. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2861.htm

Organic Holidays is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more