How many people do you know who have been affected by breast cancer?

It seems that with breast cancer becoming so prevalent today, that the question might ought to be asked, "Who doesn't know somebody who has been affected by breast cancer."

It's bad enough just hearing those dread words, then undergoing a battery of tests only to learn that things are okay.

Our thoughts and prayers continually go out to those we know who are afflicted with this disease, be it for the person themselves, or for those that love them.

Help LittleFrenchBoutique.com join the effort to find a cure for breast cancer.

By purchasing any of our selected pink sachets, 10% of the purchase price of these sachets during the month of October will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

And to make these pink sachets represent breast cancer awareness even more, you can choose to have a Pink Ribbon Favor Tag of your choice attached.

Thank You

Lavender Harvest

Harvest time in the lavender fields is winding down, as the lavender is brought in to dry.

If you are so blessed as to live near a lavender farm to enjoy the wonderful lavender aroma as the breeze wafts it over, then we envy you.

For the rest of us, we can settle for a beautiful lavender sachet filled with fresh lavender buds.

And with such a variety of sachets to choose from at LittleFrenchBoutique.com, you are sure to find the style that fits you to accompany the fragrance you love.

Click here on Lavender Sachets to see our selection of lavender sachets

Wow … a website is ever a work in progress!

We have just finished an over haul of our links page, changing it to our resources section.

Actually, as LittleFrenchBoutique.com grows, we will be focusing a little more on our "Customer Resources" center, where we hope to provide you with many great little tidbits of useful and/or interesting material.

This will include pictures and photo galleries, book reviews and articles, video clips, and other things of interest for you.

Our latest addition is our "Other Web Resources" section.

LittleFrenchBoutique.com is all about lavender sachets, gifts, fragrances, soaps, candles, favors and a whole list of "other" ideas and products and services that can at times be a bit bigger than we are.

Naturally, building a network of useful/relevant websites is healthy for LittleFrenchBoutique.com, but it is also great for you, our valued customer, to help you in your search for what you want.

We love our products, and we are confident that you will too, and if we have what you are looking for, we offer a safe environment to make your purchases.

This is made possible through StoresOnline, ECI-PAY (Electronic Commerce International), Security Metrics, and the very popular VeriSign.

You will find that we never ask you for personal information within the "normal" confines of LittleFrenchBoutique.com, and that when this sort of information is required, you will be directed to a page with the iMergent Inc (US) secure server "lock" and/or emblem in the browser, with the StoresOnline https (the "s" standing for "secure").

This ensures that any information you provide is safely encrypted before it is sent through cyberspace.

With all that being said, you may like to keep looking for a while, and we would like to assist you with a list of our favorite sites as we come across them.

Another feature of our "Other Web Resources" section is the use of the powerful Google search engines.

By optimizing the page for a certain keyword, Google allows us to provide you with a pretty good list of websites associated with that keyword.

These are typically websites who want to be found, providing products and services of interest to you.

Of course, the only website that LittleFrenchBoutique.com has any semblance of control over is LittleFrenchBoutique.com, and the same measure of security that we offer may not be in some of these other sites. We can only speak for LittleFrenchBotuique.com.

So anytime you are in the Internet Web World, be careful, and make sure your personal computer is protected with the proper firewall and anti-virus/malware applications.

Gino Orfitelli of ePRO Computer Repair has a great article relating to web surfing at Merchant Circle with many great responses attached to it. It is called "How Safe Do You Surf?" and you will find it in the Merchant Circle Wednesday Experts for September 1, 2010.

It is possible to enjoy your websurfing. Just practice good safe web surfing, and have a good trust worthy computer technician handy that can quickly take care of your computer should the need arise.

In our day and age, an honest, reliable computer tech is right up there in importance with an auto mechanic or plumber who you can trust (believe it or not, they do exist :-).

Happy (Safe) Web Surfing.

Ageratums & New Lavender Sachet

We have a shaggy looking little flower out front that looks much like it came out of a Dr. Seuss book.

Bright little shaggy heads all bunched together in a cluster, in flossy lavender blue hues.

They are called "Ageratums" (ă-jer-ā-tŭms).

Some folks like them because they are so easy to grow. TOO EASY! They tend to grow like weeds, with almost no help, needing pulling quite often to keep them under control.

Whether a weed or a flower, depending on your perspective, they are pretty little flowers, with a pleasant lavender color.

The perfect color to introduce our new Lavender Sachet in Lavender with Victorian Style Lace.

A beautiful lavender filled sachet, complete with a hanging ribbon. With its Victorian style lace, it is perfect for your dresser drawers, closet hangers, and door knobs, even to hang from your bureau mirror or to place on a doily for all to see.

Click here on Lavender Sachet in Lavender with Victorian Style Laceto order so you can try it for yourself.

With the first school semester fast approaching, we wanted to give you a few more choices with the School theme.

And what signifies school better anymore in our modern environment than a computer.

It's funny how that books, note books and binders used to be what you would think of, but now everything has become so technological, that without a laptop by your side you would be lost at school.

Paper is still important, but it is slowly being replaced.

But what matters is that you can give your college bound student (bound as in going, OR bound as in "tied" to the school for the moment :-) an old favorite in the form of a Lavender Sachet with the new modern twist of the Computer Favor Tag.

Click here on Favor Tags more choices and information.

Be Our Guest

We are implementing a brand new feature on our web.

Our Guestbook at LittleFrenchBoutique.com.

We would love to have you sign our guestbook page with a comment and your name.

It is sad that we have to preview the messages before they can be posted, as there are just plain mean people in the Web World, making rediculous comments. Or folks who don't really have a comment to post, except for a keyword loaded advertisement for whatever they are selling.

It's amazing how the "robots" can pick things like this up and fill your business messaging system with mindless stuff. We are greatful to have a professional platform that will filter that sort of thing out.

We will require an email address for a comment to be posted. And we will require a security code to be entered.

Between these two measures, we should have positive results.

We are excited about the benefit Our Guestbook will bring to you, our valued guests and customers.

Thank you all so much!

Back to School Lavender Sachet Sale

It's time for the kids to go off to college again, making this an exciting time, while all the same it can be a sad occasion as well.

Why not brighten the moment by sending some Lavender Sachets along as special gifts.

Lavender Sachets that will not only remind her of your love, but will also provide a wonderful fragrance in her new settings.

Elegant, petit Lavender Sachets in modern or "old fashioned" prints, but every sachet with that refreshing scent we have all come to love.

Lavender Sachets are perfect to keep
• drawers
• closets
• and armoires
smelling fresh and fragrant.

Just squeeze every so often to release the precious oils from the lavender buds.

Make the Lavender Sachets personal by having a personalized favor tag attached, at no extra cost.

To help, LittleFrenchBoutique.com has reduced the prices on ALL Lavender Sachets in the "Cotton Prints" and "Linen Line" to $3.97 (20% off of the usual low price of $4.97).

Order now to take advantage of this offer, and to have your Lavender Sachets delivered in time for this special send off :-).

Sale ends Saturday - August 21, 2010

We are extending our "Back to School Sale"
on through to the end of the month :-).
Sale ends Tuesday - August 31, 2010

View More Favor Tags

During Checkout you will have the opportunity to select a tag of your choice, and to provide us with any necessary information.

With the dazzling presentation of color that the triple orange daylilies put on, and the seemingly forceful amount of energy that emanates from their brilliant hues, it is amazing to watch as they bloom again and again under the mounting intensity of the sun.

Truly a joy to have in the garden, these daylilies are all the more remarkable with their delicate, sometimes ruffled petals.

And the way that their petals form three different layers, looking like three separate flowers stacked within each other, lends to their striking beauty.

Our 3x4 organza lavender sachets can be revived again and again with a simple squeeze, and they bring a beautiful array of colors all their own, from bright orange and red to maize and gold, with many colors in between.

Click here on Orange 3x4 Organza Lavender Sachet for more information

"Tea anyone?"

One of the best ways to share the elegance and beauty of a frilly, lacy lavender sachet is over a fresh cup of hot tea.

There is just something warm and inviting that a teapot and its matching teacups bring to a friendly tête-à-tête.

Whether you are giving a lavender sachet as a gift, or merely sharing its style and grace, a nice hot cup of tea only adds to the already relaxing and pleasant aroma.

To help lend a little more charm to these precious moments, LittleFrenchBoutique.com is offering you an adorable favor tag complete with a Teapot and Teacup, and a pleasant "Thank You" to show your appreciation for the enjoyable company.

As with all of our favor tags, this Tea Pot Favor Tag can be attached any of our Lavender Sachets.

Click here on Favor Tags more choices and informatione information.

Sometimes, just a simple "Thank You" will do.

When you want to say Thank You for the thoughtfulness of others ...

• maybe for something extra special that they did
• or perhaps for honoring you with their presense

Whatever the reason, it is nice to be able say "Thank You" in a sincere yet unpretentious way.

LitteFrenchBoutique.com offers you a way to give a simple, elegant "Thank You" with the grace and style of a delicate pale rose.

And by attaching this beautiful Favor Tag to any Lavender Sachet of your choice, you are afforded an even greater variety with which to express your Thanks.

Click here on Favor Tags more information

Asiatic Lilies

These asiatic lilies, in bright fuchsia hues, just seem to explode with color. With only a few very leafy stems, they are covered with an umbrella full of buds and blossoms.

Very beautiful lilies :-).

With such a rich color, you may also be interested in our Pomegranate Soy Candle by Je T'aime Fragrances.

Long lasting (55-60 hrs), clean burning, and environmentally friendly, you will love this deeply scented candle.

Click here on Pomegranate Soy Candle 6.75oz to order.

Pink Rose of Sharon

With pink petals that are "almost" violet, the red center of this rose of sharon flower completes the illusion of the violet color.

Open bright and early, the bees have already begun their busy day.

Bees are not the only ones who enjoy these beautiful flowers with us. There are also the japanese beetles to contend with. Unfortunately, their love for these rose of sharon flowers has nothing to do with their beauty, but more with their taste, and they are quite destructive. A most unwelcome visitor!

The pink rose of sharon flowers have a certain charm about them in the dawning early morning light, the soft light adding to the soft violet hues.

You may also be interested in our Pink Organza Cone Shaped Sachets, filled with lavender and topped with rose petals for those subtle hues :-).

Click here on Set of 2 Cone Organza Sachets to find out more.

Maize

Corn is an amazing grain.

Within the mature cornfield, you can almost get lost, finding yourself in maze upon maze as you try to find where you are within the forest of corn stalks.

Each ear of corn is topped off with velvety silk, and each stalk is topped off with its own tassel.

And as you pull back the husk, the maize color is revealed. And even more so, you see the color in the corn when it is dried and ground into meal.

Corn has become such a part of our American culture.

Being such a pleasant color, maize can fit into many different functions and decorations.

Click here on Maize 3x4 Organza Lavender Sachet to order so you can try it for yourself.

Summer Roses

The summer heat has been beating down on us here in Virginia, and that means that the roses are in bloom.

The roses are beautiful, and it seems that the different colors and varieties are endless.

It feels like the long hot summer days are endless too.

We have just the thing to help with the heat - Hydrating Mist Rosewater from Simple Scents. With a very light, crisp lemony scent, it cools and refreshes the moment it touches your skin.

Click here on Hydrating Mist Rosewater Toner (4.23 fl. oz.) to order so you can try it for yourself.

RECIPE FOR LINEN LAVENDER SACHETS …

~ Mix the natural smoothness of linen with a natural or ivory color

~ Fill with lavender

~ Top with a beautiful ribbon

Presto! Just like that you have a "scentsational" combination.

Then, if you wish to liven things up a little, enjoy the Claire Collection with its fresh linens in bright cheerful colors.

Whatever your need, the LittleFrenchBoutique.com Linen Line, with its natural or bright colors, is sure to please.

~~~ See our complete Linen Line ~~~

Here in the sunny resort city of Virginia Beach, Virginia, we have plenty of ocean beaches.

From the Atlantic shore on up and around to the Chesapeake Bay shore.

There is a certain intoxicating something about the beach … perhaps it is the waves as they come rolling in.

Or perhaps it is that clean ocean air that blows over water and sand.

Whatever the attraction, if you love the beach and the ocean, you will love the clean smell and feel of Simple Scents Ocean Beach soap.

Click here on 100g (3.5 oz) Ocean Beach Bar Soap for more information.

Bluebells

One of the delights we had popping up in our garden this past Spring was the "common" Bluebell.

Mixed in with a splash of bright color from the azalea flowers above only added the beauty.

And with its delicate light blue and lavender hues, it reminds us a bit of the of our Classic French STYLE Lavender Filled Sachets.

With their delicate colors and lace, they are perfect to freshen your drawers or even to set out for display.

Click here on Classic French STYLE Lavender Filled Sachets for more information.

Bluebells

Down through time, lavender has been known by many for its aromatic fragrance and decorative beauty. With the combination of these two qualities, it is no wonder that lavender is such an irresistible force in our marketplace.

But lavender holds many more secrets than just its sweet smell or attractive appeal.

Secrets that when opened, can make an effect on our usual everyday existence, our health, and even our cooking habits.

Philippa Waring makes it very clear at the onset of this book that it is in the best interest of the reader to consult a “qualified” physician in health related issues, and that even though the contents of the book have been carefully documented and researched, you are at your own risk when practicing any of the remedies contained herein.

With that being said, Philippa Waring introduces us to lavender with a little background into its history of modern medicinal use, a brief description of the lavender plant, and lists some of its general uses. Also, since you may want to purchase some lavender oil, you are provided with what to look for in terms of quality and content.

Then, in relation to the history of lavender, we are given a more detailed account of how the importance of lavender grew in England, after which Philippa Waring takes us on a remarkable tour of the distillation process of extracting oil from the lavender.

Naturally, if you are going to purchase lavender plants for your garden, you will need to know something about the different varieties of lavender to make an educated decision. The list supplied seems to have been written with the English climate and conditions in mind, but it offers some good detail none the less.

Next, how do you get the lavender to grow? Even though this is a hardy plant, there are things you can do to improve its health and beauty.

• Where in your garden do you plant it
• How do you get it started if you want to start from the beginning
• The importance of pruning
• Even though lavender is a bug repellant, it still has its own bugs to worry about
• Diseases to be wary of
• How to harvest your lavender and then how to keep it

You will also find some other good practical garden ideas in this chapter as well.

Now that you have your lavender, how does it come in handy in your home? How about sachets, scent bags, potpourri, drawer-liners, bottles … all these and many more are discussed.

Of course, there are the medicinal uses of lavender, which are given in alphabetical order for your convenience. Pimples, athlete’s foot, toothache, sinusitis, insomnia, eczema are just to name a few of the issues you can treat (with caution).

There are still a host of other useful tips for lavender, to which a whole other chapter has been devoted. Tips for such things as air fresheners, ant guard, window cleaning, jet lag, wood polish, etc.

If you want to liven up your cooking menu, add a little lavender. Just follow the recipes for your culinary enjoyment, from breakfast to lunch to dinner, with tea and dessert in between.

Philippa Waring finishes the book with the amusing story of lavender through the eyes of history and folklore, and delves into the romantic side of lavender, even supplying you with the means of fresh breath and beautiful hair.

Scattered throughout the book are black and white illustrations to help you visualize what Philippa Waring is trying to portray.

Lavender – Nature’s Way to Relaxation and Health (1997 edition) is a paperback book containing 128 pages.

More Book Reviews »»

Daisies

There is something warm and cheerful about a daisy.

Perhaps it’s in the brightness of the white daisy petals, or maybe it has something to do with the vibrant yellow center.

Most likely though, it is a combination of the two.

Our daisy pictures are of the common “ox-eye” daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum). These are the wild daisies you might see in a meadow or along the road somewhere.

Where ever you might find them, they are sure to liven things up a bit.

If you love daisies, then you will love our Daisy Covered Yellow Lavender Sachet

When the beauty of the daisy unites with the awesome fragrance of lavender, you have a relaxing combination with a cheerful disposition
:-).

Click here on Daisy Covered Yellow Lavender Sachet to order now.

Early Garden Blossoms

Some of the favorite blossoms to see as spring changes to summer are the tomato and cucumber blossoms.

That’s because, we know that fresh tomatoes and cucumbers will not be too far behind :-).

We love to watch as the little yellow pedals eventually fall off the tomato blossom, giving way to a tiny tomato that will take the blossoms place.

And it is fun to watch as the little cucumbers begin to form behind their big yellow blossoms.

It is amazing how that the cucumber vine can work its way up a trellis, being held securely by its spiraling tendrils as they reach and wrap around anything they can get their little tendrils around.

So, if you love the clean smell of freshly peeled and sliced cucumber, then you will love our Cucumber Melon Soy Candle

With a honeydew melon base, it is the unmistakable soft clean aroma of cucumber that you will fall in love with.

Click on Cucumber Melon Soy Candle

Wild Red Columbine

In our flower bed out front, we have some Wild Red Columbines growing, probably compliments of a bird passing by once upon a time :-).

And being as how they are perennials, they just keep coming back season after season. This is not a bad thing, since they are cute little flowers with their bell-like shapes.

They are also known as Little Lanterns with their bright little lights (stamens) dangling below.

To the scientific world they would be known as Aquilegia Canadensis.

Just as nature has given us this complimentary little flower, we like to pass along our "compliments" to you in the form of a Complimentary Lavender Sachet.

It is our humble opinion that one cannot have too many lavender sachets, so with every order you make from LittleFrenchBoutique.com, we send a very fragrant 3x4 lavender sachet along with it (the colors might vary from order to order, but the fragrance does not :-).

To have the Patriotic American Flag Favor Tags attached to your sachets, simply ...

• Add the sachets of your choice to your shopping basket with the quantity you would like to order

• Then during checkout, you will have the opportunity to the select a favor tag to have attached to your sachets

And as always, the Favor Tags are at no additional cost with your order of sachets

Click here on Lavender Sachets to get started.

Our yard is full of Johnny Jump-ups

They grow like weeds :-). All through the grass, in the flower beds, even a couple in the cracks of the side walk.

The tiny little Johnny Jump-ups are a welcome sight. They are such tiny delicate looking flowers, and look like little minature pansys

And what makes ours so unique is their color.

Most Johnny Jump-ups it would seem are a deep purple violet color with a yellow center.

Ours have a rich lavender hue, which just happens to be a perfect comliment to LittleFrenchBoutique.com, with all the lavender colors for our lavender theme.

Of course, even with their lavender color, the Johnny Jump-ups do not have that wonderful lavender fragrance.

But since we have plenty of fragrant lavender buds, that is not an issue.

And with your very own lavender sachets, it is not a problem for you either :-).

Click here on Lavender Sachets to see our sachets

Our LittleFrenchBoutique.com Wish List

One of the new things that we are especially excited about here at LittleFrenchBoutique.com is the implementation of our new Wish List.

Or rather should we say, "Your Wish List."

Now it is possible to shop online with us, and if you are not quite ready to make your purchase yet, you can save your items to the your Wish List, and then come back at a later date and move things from your Wish List to your Shopping Basket. It will save you from coming back to the site and having to search to find all your favorite items again :-).

Of course you will have to Log-In to your LittleFrenchBoutique.com account in order to have access to your Wish List. This ensures that any information you submit will STAY private.

We hope that this will make for a much easier and convenient shopping experience.

Click here on Wish List for more information.

Here are some pictures of our Pink Evening Primroses you might enjoy.

These little Pinkladies, as they are sometimes called, are hardy little plants. So much so that you have to be careful that they don't over run your garden. A little thinning from time to time keeps them in check pretty well. And they are worth the effort.

The pollen will sometimes get so thick inside the flower that if you get your nose too close while smelling them, it may leave a yellow smug on your nose. Just like yellow butter :-). So they are known as Pink Buttercups also.

You may find them with the perennials at the local nursery under their more formal name - OENOTHERA SPECIOSA.

When she receives your beautifully wrapped Mother's Day Gift Set, she will discover …

• Four very fragrant linen Lavender Sachets elegantly tied together with dainty ribbon (Select from five different Linen Lavender Sachet Sets!)
• An individually wrapped 200g (7oz) bar of all natural Simple Scents Soap
• A small note with your personal touch.

She will love the lavender sachets and natural soap.

So how do you successfully transpose the sense of smell to the sense of sight, through a medium that holds no fragrance?

This is what Hans Silvester has effectively done in his book "Lavender - Fragrance of Provence."

As you pick up this book and thumb through its pages, let your mind go and smell the soothing lavender aroma as it wafts over the fields through the rich colored photographs.

Some of the pictures, with their vibrant color and animated hues, have such realism, that you can almost step through the page into the vast fields, to walk between the rows of lavender.

Other pictures have such a dreamlike and magical look that you have to look hard to see that they are indeed photographs.

One does not just wake up in the morning and capture the quality of these pictures in a day.

No, as you peer into the pages, you can feel that Hans Silvester lived the photos as he took them.

You will find yourself comparing pictures, from one page to the other. Have I seen this before in a different season perhaps? Or maybe this is from a different angle?

Through the eyes of Hans Silvester you will discover the beauty of France, where the lavender fields are spread like patchwork, covering plains and rolling hills, sometimes even using the mountains themselves as a natural backdrop for his pictures.

Hans Silvester has taken advantage of the diversity that the seasons bring. From the new beginnings of spring, the warmth of summer, the harvest of autumn, and the stark cold of winter, the lavender covered French landscape offers a wealth of photographic opportunity.

Scattered throughout the scenic images, Hans Silvester has inserted brief descriptions which only add to the pleasantness of this book.

Although a picture can be worth a thousand words, sometimes words can give added worth to the picture.

So after you have enjoyed the beauty found in these full-page photographs, you will notice "words" at the beginning of the book. Quite a few words actually. Fifteen pages worth, minus a few more pictures for illustrative purposes.

Christiane Meunier will share her expertise with you, providing you with a bit of the history of lavender, and how industry affected its spread throughout the world. She will take you on a guided tour, if you will, through the planting process, crop management, harvesting, distillation, and marketing of this remarkable plant.

The knowledge from this new information Christiane Meunier gives you will bring a whole new perspective to the rest of the book. Sometimes knowing "why" will give a deeper meaning to the picture presented before you.

This book is a smaller version of the 1996 version, which had 164 pages and was roughly 10 inches tall by 10 inches wide. The new edition (2004) has 128 pages and is approximately 8 inches tall by 10½ inches wide (7 7/8 inches tall x 10 5/8 inches wide to be more precise :-). So the new edition, with a beautiful cover in shades of deep blue and green, will fit handsomely on your library shelf.

Enjoy!

More Book Reviews »»

A great word to use when describing this book is "Comprehensive."

Whether you are a novice or an "old hand" at dealing with lavender, you will find this book very educational. Not only is The Genus Lavendula informative, but it has an entertaining quality about it as well, in the form of the many photographs and illustrations. As you open this book, attention to detail soon becomes apparent, as it seems that every aspect of lavender has been covered, from the well written descriptions, to the beautifully painted color plates, even to the ensuring that proper hues of lavender are represented in the photographs.

If you are just beginning your quest for information regarding The Genus Lavendula (lavender :-), then you may wish to have a good dictionary on hand as you peruse this book.

The Genus Lavendula begins with an interesting history of lavender, especially from the perspective of its cultivation in different countries down through the centuries.

Before Tim Upson and Susyn Andrews get into the actual business of classification though, you are given a short yet very useful "handbook" on the cultivation of lavender. Specified here are the three things necessary that make for healthy lavender with long life. From there, three methods of propagation are discussed, and of the three, which is the most popular and reliable. And even though lavender can act as a repellant to many insects, they do have their own pests and diseases to contend with, both indoor and out.

Of course, prior to a detailed classification listing of lavender, a short summary of its general appearance would be in order. So the basic characteristics that are demonstrated throughout the lavender family are given.

On the more technical scientific side of lavender, you are presented with a brief yet thorough synopsis of the production of essential lavender oil, with some of its other commercial uses. If you are interested in the actual chemistry of lavender, this section delves into its phytochemistry, from its metabolites to its chromosome numbers.

The importance of pollination is also touched on, both from the viewpoint of the lavender and from its pollinators, which would include the especially important honey bee, but is not limited to just that.

Finally, the main body of the book is given to the actual classification or "taxonomic treatment" of lavender. Included with the names of the lavender cultivars are detailed descriptions, which include measurements of peduncle (flower stalk) length, leaf and spike size, with the size and color of the calyx and corolla, the flowering period, where they can be found, habitat, and conservation status. This is in addition to any other information and/or chart, picture, map or graph that may be beneficial to the description.

It is interesting to note, much to the credit of Tim Upson and Susyn Andrews, that in their introduction to the book and in the introduction to the "Taxonomic Treatment of Lavandula," they clearly state that there are areas of uncertainty in the book, where the "readers may be able to help fill gaps, " and that they offer this work to "promote and encourage further interest and work on Lavandula."

Enjoy!

More Book Reviews »»

So be sure to visit
our Valentine Corner

"Express your love with the
Unique Essence of Lavender"

What a refreshing way to portray lavender.

Though this book is no longer in print, and may be considered a relic by some (being printed in the early 90’s), if you can come in possession of one, this is a read that is certainly worth your time and effort.

Pamela Allardice begins her book not so much with the “history” of lavender, but more the story behind it. As she so eloquently puts it, it’s about the lavender “lore,” taken from “a host of legends and fairy tales.”

From this journey through lavender’s memoirs, Pamela Allardice gives us an account of how lavender and love have become connected. She provides many antidotes of how lavender would be used by the young maidens to ensure their young men falling in love with them. But not just the maidens, but other uses as well, such as keeping your lover faithful as he journeyed by land or sea.

It would only follow, that with all the benefits of lavender, from its fragrance and beauty, to how the butterflies and bees love it (and how the other insects turn their noses up to it), the lavender should definitely be in our gardens.

So some of the issues Pamela Allardice discusses are …

• what kind of lavender to get
• how to start and grow lavender
• and even where to put lavender in the garden

Of course this is along with how harvest and prepare lavender for use.

Now that you have all this lavender, what do you do with it?

Well, how about lavender cuisine for starters. This was once very widespread. From spices, to spreads, to decorations, and everything in between, lavender can be a “delightful” compliment to your dining experience.

Pamela Allardice then gives some excellent tips on gathering and preparing the lavender flowers, and then provides you with some wonderful lavender recipes to experiment with.

With a content pallet, how else can lavender be used for “Milady?”

From such a rich oil and fragrance, lavender has many effective uses for a body according to Pamela Allardice. Mouthwash, skin tonic, soap, balms, moisturizing creams, and hair rinse are just to name a few. And she gives you all this complete with the ingredients to put these lavender remedies together.

And speaking of remedies, she also delves into the medicine chest, providing many natural lavender treatments for different ailments. Of course, your discretion is needed as you explore these unusual prescriptions.

In the end, Pamela Allardice concludes this book of lavender by giving us different uses of lavender around the house. With its fragrance and beauty, lavender offers many ways in which you can keep the atmosphere fresh and fragrant. She will show you the secrets of lavender potpourri, along with many other ideas, such as lavender in candles, sachets, pillows and toys.

Pamela Allardice makes all this information available so that you can “share your enjoyment of this lovely and useful plant” with your friends and family.

Scattered throughout the book, on the left hand columns of the pages, you will find quips and quotes about lavender from folks down through the centuries, with both humorous and historical perspectives.

Simone Bennett’s beautiful illustrations add the finishing touch to an already enchanting book.

More Book Reviews »»

What a wonderful book!

The Maui Book of Lavender begins with a charming history of lavender. From it first “documented” use in Rome, its spread through Europe, and its many uses down through the ages, and how it has affected history. The story of lavender is followed to America, and then ultimately to the Islands, where the real story of the Maui Book of Lavender begins.

Here we find Alii Chang’s passion. And not just his passion, but how it came to be, with such influences in his life as his grandmother, the farm, and all the work he put into it. And with that foundation, how he grew from success to success, with the “serendipitous moments that make up the story of Ali’I Kula Lavender.”

Here you will find how Alii Chang came to grow lavender. As he would put it, “It was perfect for us. I think the lavender chose me.” And you will discover the amazing story of how the farm flourished and grew with the surrounding community.

Of course, “once you become a lavender lover, it’s almost inevitable that you will want to grow some in your own garden.” So you are equipped with some valuable growing “tips,” from climate, to soil, to pruning, to harvest, and much information in between.

And then the fun begins, with a good portion of the Maui Book of Lavender devoted to lavender in your kitchen … appetizers, salads and sides, entrées and desserts. What makes this book so convenient to use are the tabs on the side of the pages, which stand out so clearly as you thumb through the book, making it easy to find your favorite recipe.

With the detailed recipes and the mouth watering pictures, you cannot go wrong.

As you tear yourself from the cooking section, you will be guided on a tour of many of the other benefits of lavender in your life, and how its fragrance and beauty can fit into your home, with a few great craft ideas.

The Maui Book of Lavender concludes with the stories of Lani Medina Weigert and Mars Simpson, and the remarkable events which unfolded ultimately bringing them to be with Alii Chang. Together, they then share in their own words: “The Four Keys to success.”

In addition to the wonderful story and information that flow through this book, you will enjoy beautiful pictures entwined throughout its pages, coupled with tidbits of wisdom that have been shared down through the centuries.

Enjoy!

http://www.aliikulalavender.com/

More Book Reviews »»

From the beginning of written history, Robert Kourik guides you through the fascinating story of Lavender, how it spread throughout the world, how it was used, who used it, even what “who used it” were called.

The reputation lavender has acquired in herbal lore has been validated by modern medicine, and its medicinal properties are impressive. Yet as impressive as all that is, that is just the beginning, because Mr. Kourik goes on to show you how all this fits into your garden, for this is what the “Lavender Garden” is all about. He gives you the knowledge necessary to make this remarkable plant a part of your life.

What makes a lavender plant unique from other plants? Into what cosmetic family does it fit, and what are its characteristics, from the stem, to the leaf, to the calyxe, to the corolla, to the bracts.

And with such a large selection of lavender to choose from, considering size, flower color, foliage color and fragrance, how do you choose.

To help, Mr. Kourik gives you the common names of each, with its scientific name beside. This is important for when you go to the nursery to pick out your plants. What you are looking for in your garden will also determine what you select, whether for shrubs or borders. What effect you are looking for in your garden.

Not only does he give you the description of the different lavenders, but there are also wonderful pictures of each to help in your selection. These full page pictures are scattered throughout the book, and the photographer, Deborah Jones, truly did a phenomenal job in capturing the essence of the lavender.

You will want to know the bloom periods, and which zone the particular species of lavender grows best in. How hardy is this plant, and what is the typical landscape use. And of course, you will want to know about any culinary uses for the particular lavender you are looking at. Mr. Kourik will also give you any “special” uses or comments about each lavender. So armed with this invaluable knowledge, you can go out and make the right selection for you.

When you bring the lavender plants home, there is a whole added world of information you will need to know, about planting, soil, fertilizer, weed control, pests and those dreadful diseases. Not to worry, this book provides all the necessary tips and information to produce healthy, vibrant lavender plants.

Now that you have the lavender plants, with their beauty and fragrance, Robert Kourik gives you many ideas of how to take this lovely plant from your garden to inside your home. How do you harvest and dry the lavender, for potpourri, culinary uses, and floral bouquets.

He offers a great section on the “Essential Details about Lavender Oil,” and the blending of oils for perfumes. Mr. Kourik finishes the book with an excellent selection of wonderful recipes using this fragrant herb.

As a special treat, you will find splashed through the pages of this book awesome little quotes, some from poems, some from sonnets of centuries ago, but all about the unique herb called lavender.

http://www.robertkourik.com/books/lavender.html

More Book Reviews »»