Showing posts with label Buns and Roses. Show all posts

You Make Me Feel LIke a Natural Woman - April Workshop - Natural Beauty Products

Sunday, 10 April 2016 § 1

Last Thursday I ran my first ever class called “You make me feel like a natural woman” for 17 wonderful women who booked on to make completely natural bath bombs, toner and make up remover, with no additives and to watch a demonstration on how to make your own natural moisturiser.  If I’d thought about it at the time I would have called it “Let’s all make a (bath) bomb” which is an old Heaven 17 song from the 80’s!!  But you are all probably far too young to remember them! 
I have been making my own care products for about 10 years now, after a chance find of a ‘make your own beauty products book’ on a car boot sale.  I had very mixed results with my first efforts to produce a moisturiser, it had the consistency of car wax, but boy was I proud of my efforts and I used every last bit, even though it did make me waterproof!  After 4 years of trial and error I realised that I had to be very accurate with my ingredients and a neighbour told me to use a blender to make it lighter and creamier and hey presto I can now make a very decent face and body moisturiser. 

I demonstrated how easy it was to make a simple moisturiser to the assembled group, and we all had a sample to see what they thought of it and I think everyone was pleasantly surprised how easy and quick it was to make. 



Then it was time to get everybody involved, we had come here for everyone to get stuck in and make bath bombs, so we all weighed out our dry ingredients, then mixed our wet ingredients and dripped the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, whilst mixing furiously, to try and achieve the consistency of wet sand.  By that I mean that the mixture is clumping together when you crush it in your hands.  There is a knack to it and I have to admit I had made at least 6 lots of bath bombs at home, with varying degrees of success.  My first attempt was a great success – but that was just beginner’s luck.  I had many failed attempts as well.   There was a delicious scent in the air on Thursday and some wonderful coloured bath salts were made, some of us even got our bath bombs to keep their shape!  But I tried again when I got home and I think I know what makes a successful bath bomb now.  Drum roll – you have to keep it in the mold and take it home in the mold.  It is so fragile otherwise.  I had made two beauties to show, one heart and one ball and they were perfectly formed, but the heart collapsed midway through the evening as I had taken it out of the mold, whereas the ones I left in overnight are rock solid!  Never mind – the bath salts can be put in a jar with a little spoon and still make your bath smell wonderful and your skin smooth.  Practise definitely makes perfect.  So keep practising ladies!

Finally, we made a toner with green tea and aloe vera and a very simple but gentle make up remover with aloe vera, water and olive oil.   Everybody went home with a little pot of moisturiser (here’s 17 I made earlier!) and their home made products.  It was a lovely evening and there was lots of laughter and mess!!  I hope everyone had a good time and I hope everyone learned something and will have another go at home.

Sadly I had made 20 pieces of chocolate flapjack and forgot to hand it out – much to the delight of my son Josh who helped himself to a piece or three!!

Georgina Perry

That's Not My Name (badge) - February Meeting

Saturday, 5 March 2016 § 0

"That's Not My Name (badge)"




Got scrabble tiles and the girls’ going strong
We got some glue and we got our craft going on and I
 keep stitching, keeping sequins together
Ladies around the stashbox got to find the glitzy bling now



Adding more glitter to my namebadge fame
Buns n’ roses together
and chatting all the way
with our new badges we will never forget your name (fame, fame, fame)


[Chorus:]
They call me Helen
They call me Tracey
They call me Caroline
They call me J-A
You got my name
My name badge name
They call me Lisa
Verdant and quiet
and Grace-Ann is glamour
In pink so vibrant
You got my name,
My name badge name




We hit the glitz when the creativity calls
Stephanie’s striped badge would give Cinderella a run for the ball
Lauren’s fantastic, in patterned fabric
and even Lucy made one although she knows us all!


A social Thursday meet
and we were late away
With craft, food  and chatter
And us girls are all happy to say
Welcome to B’n’R with 45+ members we have badges so we won’t forget your names
(Fame, Fame, Fame)



They call me Amanda
They call me Emma
They call me Georgina
They call me Sue
You got my name
My name badge name
We stitched some blood bags
for Diamond Blackfan Anaemia
Look up that name



http://thebloodbagproject.tumblr.com/

On a more serious note though, Diamond blackfan anaemia is a blood disorder which prevents the creation of red blood cells, leaving victims chronically under weight (we heard about a little three year old girl that has to use a medical feeding tube at night to keep her weight up), having to have regular blood transfusions to get red blood cells, dialysis to remove unfiltered iron from their blood and with sclerosis of the liver as a result. Some lucky sufferers will find a bone marrow match and become strong enough to receive a bone marrow transplant. This can cure the disorder. If you are not already on the bone marrow register you can apply here



Talkin' Bout a Resolution - January Meeting

Sunday, 14 February 2016 § 0

Hello our brilliant bunnies and lovely roses.

January started as we mean to go on with another full house for ‘Talkin Bout a Resolution’s general meet, craft and national resolution discussion running alongside membership renewals and a jolly good time.
The committee were on full form with their introductions, finance updates and branch information round up before leading the us into the Bunny-Battle-Loyal, with our lovely ladies putting the case forward for the 8 proposed national resolutions. 

To give you a roses-recap, every January the national WI asks us to decide which worthy cause we would like them to campaign for publicly and with government. Such worthy causes as a parents right to stay overnight (first 24hrs) for a child admitted to hospital and increased awareness of the Organ Donors register have been some of our ever so successful campaigns as a national federation working together in unison..and together we are a mighty force!

Ban the microbead, the Brightest Bouncy Bunny that is our own Steph explained to us how those little hyper absorbent grains in make up and nappies to name but a few offenders are clogging up the sea floor and killing fish! Step also spoke out on the  Prevention of sudden cardiac death in young adults in the UK imploring the Government to put in place a national strategy for the prevention of young sudden cardiac death to ensure that all young people between the ages of 14 and 35 have access to heart screening by appropriately qualified professionals to identity any potentially life-threatening conditions.   


British fruit: reviving our heritage Our own Legal Eagle Emma spoke out for a campaign that creates a fruit revival in local communities, celebrates our WI roots, promotes health, addresses food security and whilst reducing the carbon footprint.  Emma then went on to Avoid food waste, address food poverty calling  on all supermarkets to sign up to a voluntary agreement to avoid food waste, thereby passing surplus food onto charities thus helping to address the issue of increasing food poverty in the UK.  
Free sanitary protection for homeless women The Roaring Rose, Julie-Anne urged us to campaign for homeless shelters to be provided with a funding allowance to enable them to provide sanitary protection (tampons and towels) for homeless women and Mind or body – equal funding for care Calling upon the Government to ensure that the care of people with mental health issues to receive equal precedence with physical illness within the NHS..   


First aid to save lives Our Ever-Caring Clare asked us to consider that suffering could be minimized and lives could be saved if more members of the general population were trained in first aid. The Government should therefore promote first aid training in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace.  


Finally, our own Princess Di of the WI, Grace-Ann spoke to us on Appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia proposing the WI pressures the Government and the NHS to provide facilities to enable carers to stay overnight with people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia that have been admitted into hospital and often become disorientated and distressed, without the mental capacity to understand their situation as a result of their illness.


And Appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia ultimately was the resolution you lovely ladies cast the most vote for and the resolution behind which we will be asking the national federation to put its’ force behind.

Thank you all you lovely people! 

It's the End of the Year as we Know it - December Meeting

Sunday, 10 January 2016 § 0

Decembers WI Christmas party was a sure sign of our branch going from strength to giving strength, with a full table of secret santa gifts and an even fuller fuddle finger buffet.  Well done ladies and thank you all who made or brought something to gift to one of their fellow members. There were some truly lovely gifts again this year!


The Christmas revelry got off to an excellent start with Christmas head ware (in anticipation of our up and coming fascinator workshop), some fabulous jumpers (the yarn craft workshop coming in handy again), and gloriously festive table dressing from our lovely Grace-Ann.


The tombola table of temptation kept us all trying until all of the Gin and luxury gifts were gone, raising nearly £80 for the branch and the Christmas themed quiz had us groaning and scratching our heads in the attempt to win the Bombay Sapphire prize.



But most of all, our lovely ladies, it was you who made this party special with your ongoing cheer, kind spirits and good hearts. Thank you all for your time and effort this and every month. We look forward to seeing you and our friends old and new in the coming year and wish you all a very happy Christmas and a safe and peaceful new year.

Crafting Around the Christmas Tree - November Meeting!

Sunday, 3 January 2016 § 0

Our November craft meeting was described as chilled out fun by our members.


The session was kicked off by Emma announcing the new membership rates for January which is a snip at £37.50 for the whole year! This includes all meetings and priority booking on our exciting workshops as well as 10 copies of the amazing ‘WI life’ magazine. 


Emma took us through the WYN highlights and the 2016 Resolutions which are: 

Ban the microbead  

British fruit: reviving our heritage  

Free sanitary protection for homeless women  

Prevention of sudden cardiac death in young adults in the UK  

First aid to save lives  

Mind or body – equal funding for care  

Avoid food waste, address food poverty  

Appropriate care in hospitals for people with dementia  

Please refer to the Buns & Roses website or the WI website for more information. 


We also found out the theme for the NFWI 2016 Craft Competition which is ‘something old, something new. The theme is centred around upcycling which sounds like something which is dear to the roses hearts! 


Our new 2016 diary is available on the website now, this year’s membership fees will be due in January and the bank details have been provided in the round up so please don’t forget to transfer your membership fees.  


There was lots of excellent crafting going on at the meeting and I believe that everyone went away having made at least one decoration for their tree!






Eye Feel a Pretty - November Workshop - Smokey Eyes

Thursday, 5 November 2015 § 0

Whilst the rest of Leeds were stood outside in foggy weather getting smoke *in* their eyes... A lovely group of Roses were at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, safely away from fireworks learning how to perfect the perfect "Smokey Eye" vintage look courtesy of Natalie Willingham - http://nataliewillingham.co.uk


Natalie had some useful hints and tips including the importance of not putting foundation on first - you might need to clear up stray make up off your cheeks!  


Natalie helped our Roses with their first smokey eye look and a variety of tones and shades were used.  The room was silent as everyone blended and smudged!


Soon everyone had completed their first eye!  Here are some before and after shots!


Natalie then taught the group how to perfect a slightly different smokey eye shape and then patiently answered multiple questions about blusher, mascara and fake lashes!  I learned that I should be (and everyone should be!) filling in their brows!

We all left with some extra knowledge and a great new look - thanks Natalie!  

Gin Genie - October Meeting - Gin Tasting

Sunday, 25 October 2015 § 0

Here at Buns and Roses WI we like to keep with the best traditions of the Women’s Institute as well as keeping or members educated and informed. It was with this haughty duality in mind that October’s meeting brought you “Gin Genie” a history of gin and gin tasting experience.


Excitement had been high in the run up to the meeting, with all available spaces booked out in advance and this month’s meeting did not disappoint.  The lovely Lauren lead the gathering with her talk detailing the roots and establishment of gin in British culture, it’s content, production and historic values. From Kings-comforter to Mothers-ruin and several parliamentary acts and laws in between Lauren enlightened us, whilst the committee mixed the gin cocktail samples for members to try. 


 The first cocktail sampled was The Gimlet. A tradition mix of citrus flavours against dry gin (as opposed to the historic sweet gins of the 18th century) and an excellent medicinal tonic with the fresh lime adding a bonus vitamin C content.

Gimlet
50ml cheap gin
1/34 ounces of lime cordial
Fresh lime
Tonic water


This was followed by another winter warming mix of ginger and spirit in the  

Gin buck cocktail 
50ml gin 
Ginger ale 
Lime Ice
Which was wonderfully pallet cleansing and refreshing.

Our third cocktail, which counterbalanced traditional sweetness against a tarte favourite of many members was

Sloe gin fizz 
Ice 
50m/l sloe gin 
Squeeze lemon juice 
1 tsp sugar syrup 
Cream soda to top up 


Which was purple, I like purple…have I ever mentioned how much I like purple *hiccup* I mean a drink, and it’s sweet and purple! What’s not to like *Hiccup* ..now where was I?

Our fourth and final cocktail was

Earl grey martini  
50ml gin  
35ml strong cold earl grey tea 
20ml lemon juice 
12.5ml sugar syrup 
Lemon 


Tea *Hiccup* tea in a cocktail? Oh goodness me *hiccup* that’s genius. That’s my two most *hiccup* favouritest things in the world ever *Hiccup* tea and booze *hiccup* We need to make glasses from cake, yup that’s what we need, ahaa. 

So *hiccup*, to sum it up, bottoms up aye? Whooohooo. We was very sophist..sophisto….sofisto..we were right posh *hiccup* and we learned lots of stuff..aha *gratuitous head nodding between hiccups* and we all had fun and it was great and you should come again. Yop yop yop yup.


But on a more serious note, it was a thoroughly enlightening night which was enjoyed by many with members leaving with some lovely party drinks recipes to make at home throughout the festive season and a greater understanding of how this Dutch import (gin) became a staple of British culture.

Stop in the Name of Grub! - September Meeting - Food Waste

Sunday, 20 September 2015 § 1

This month’s meeting was certainly an eye opener for many of us into the real workings of corporate waste verses community hunger with our talk from Adam Smith of the Real Junk Food Co.


Adam, with a 15 year career in the catering industry including a spell as a top class chef in Sydney, Australia, first became aware of the futility of food waste when working on a farm as part of a government scheme to extend his via in Australia. “We were feeding the pigs courgettes. There was nothing wrong with these courgettes, we were eating them ourselves, but they had grown too big for the supermarkets who cancelled the order”. Rather than totally waste the crop or plow it back into the fields as fertilizer, the local farmers would donate waste crops to feed the pigs in exchange for other produce from their neighbouring farms. “I asked the farmer, why can’t this be diverted to feed the homeless in Sydney” as there was a massive problem with starving homeless people in the city at the time. Government agencies were literally sweeping them off the street to move them on to avoid their tainting the city’s image at Christmas. “The farmer told me there was cost involved in transporting the waste crops to the city and they were already losing money on waste crops” After all, these were business’s. So Adam did a deal with the farmers, and the restaurant contacts he had in the city to allow him to collect and take some of the waste food to the city, and set up a pop up Pay As You Feel (or are able) café in the city. It was a resounding success and fabulous publicity for the restaurants involved for their corporate social image. From there, the Real Junk Food Co’ was formed.


Fast forward several years, an economic crash and mass poverty becoming a real fact of British life for many of the least fortunate in society and Adam, who was recently named one of the most influential men in business worldwide for his work, is back in the UK and working out of Armley. Since their humble beginnings in Sydney, Adam has helped hundreds of communities worldwide set up Pay as You Fell cafes, using his model of intercepted waste food. In the UK he has worked tirelessly to bring major players in the food sales world on board in order to divert their waste food into community cafes. Nandos willingly hand over any pre prepared chicken not used on the day to his project (with cooked chicken having a 3 day life shelf and their policy being to use it on the day of preparation)..Many a Sunday in Adams’ Armley pay as you feel café involves a Nandos chicken Sunday lunch. Morrisons have recently come on board running a pilot scheme of handing over their food waste to the projects. This seems to have allowed them to work with Adam to avoid waste whilst highlighting and improving their internal policies to prevent food getting to a wastage point in its’ shelf life to start with and that is what Adam is all about.
“I don’t want to have to be doing this, I want to go out of business because there is no food waste to divert back up” Adam doesn’t want to be the middle man, he wants food waste to stop or big business to be doing this automatically alongside their local communities.


It’s not just “donated” food that Adam collects. There’s a fair amount of skip diving being done with informal agreements from some suppliers to turn a blind eye to this, as they don’t feel they can openly hand the products over due to government legislation. Adam largely targets the out of town stores for this now, leaving the inner city sites for the local homeless population to make use of. He also has an arrangement with a local wholesale supplier who call them in there is any unnecessary waste due to burocracy (such as a £15k case of coconut oil that was due to be wasted because a few of the bottles on top had been smashed and the business involved is not allowed to wash away the spilled oil and glass to sell the bottles below!).

Adams’ organisation has opened the first Pay as you Feel Café in a Leeds school. One of his regular customers told him that because she could come to the café to get good quality food for her children at a donate what you can afford price, she was slowly being able to save enough money up to buy a bottle sterilizer for her babys food! Other projects within the café are teaching the local children what food is and where it comes from, with several local children not realising that apples grew on trees until Adam was offering them free windfall apples from a local donator to take home with them.


In Armley the main café is having a massive community impact giving a community focus for those who most need it. For several people the support received there has genuinely been the difference between life and a self imposed death. Armley is often used as a council depository for single men with drink and drugs problem with insufficient support given to help them. Resultantly suicide is a growing issue. Adams café opens its doors to all and has often stepped in to give moral support and companionship to this group when trying to turn their lives around, teaching them how to cook and giving some of them a focus as a volunteer in the café giving back to the community in their own turn.



So what does Adam need from us? He needs us to be aware of all of these things going on. He would like it if we can spread the word and use his cafes and pay what we can afford for the food (and bare in mind, Adam is a top class chef serving top class food when he is in the kitchen), those monies are diverted back into the projects to help more people.  Adam himself is eligible for working tax credits he pays himself himself so little as manager of the charity despite recently moving some of his volunteers onto a paid living wage. Pay it on and pay it forward, but whatever you do, do not waste it!

You can find out more information via https://www.facebook.com/TheRealJunkFoodProject?fref=ts and keep an eye out for their website launching next month!

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