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These days most of us tend to be cappuccino and cake kind of people, but seriously - who doesn't love a good tea party? Especially if it's done properly. This rather elegant pastime is considered to be a quintessentially British pursuit; so much so that in the States, an afternoon tea party is considered to be a regular occurrence for all British people. Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news guys, but most of us from the 'old country' don't even own a piece of fine bone China, never mind use it every day. Most of us can't even remember the last time we used a saucer! On the rare occasions us cappuccino drinkers do drink tea, it's usually from a take-away cup - just like our cappuccinos! But a classic afternoon tea party can be a fabulous occasional treat and is very popular for birthdays, bridal showers, anniversaries... and some married couples opt for a tea party instead of a full on traditional three course wedding breakfast. Tea parties are great for when you feel like being super elegant and refined and want to go overboard with the dress coats, tea dresses, hats, gloves, monocles, pearls... Told you it's not an every day thing! Tea parties can vary in terms of theme, style and food served. Although they are usually considered to be quite formal occasions, they don't always have to be. They're just great fun; ultra relaxing, and a chance to socialize with a cup of tea and a huge slice of cake! However if you choose to go down the formal route, there are certain customs you might want to take heed of. So here's the low-down on tea party etiquette. TEA PARTY ETIQUETTE IF YOU'RE THE HOSTESS: 1. Depending on the occasion and how formal you want to be, you may want to send out proper written invitations rather than to simply text/phone/email them. Just be sure to send out those party invites in plenty of time! 2. Once your guests have arrived and you've greeted them, show them to the table and invite them to sit down. Whether you give them assigned seating or allow them to chose their own seats is up to you. 3. As the hostess, it's your job to serve each of the courses and pour the tea. Make sure the conversation is flowing as much as the tea is, and that your guests have enough to eat and drink. 4. It's fine to arrange for someone else to do the serving if you wish so that you can concentrate on just having a good time with your guests. 5. If you are not able to get outside help and you have a fairly large number of guests, you can nominate a couple of friends to help serve - especially if you know that they will be happy to do so! 6. You might think you are being helpful to your guests by bringing ready-sliced scones to the table but these are always served whole. IF YOU'RE THE GUEST: 1. It's always nice to bring a small gift for the host or hostess. 2. Take your place at the table and wait to be served. 3. Keep your purse or handbag on your lap or behind your chair but not on the table. 4. When the party's over, always send a handwritten note of thanks to your host - preferably within a week. FOR EVERYONE: 1. Place napkins on your lap. If you need to leave the table, leave the napkin on your chair and not on the table. 2. No reaching across the table for anything. If you'd like something, ask someone to pass it to you. 3. It's perfectly acceptable to eat with your fingers - no one eats sandwiches with a knife and fork - but anything that has the potential to be messy should be eaten using the appropriate cutlery. 4. Remember that thick cream is for scones - not for tea! 5. Take small bites of the sandwiches no matter how tiny they are. Don't cram a whole one into your mouth. Now is not the time for party pieces! 6. When eating scones or muffins, break off a bite-size piece, then put a small amount of butter and/or jam on it. If clotted cream is being served, a small amount can be dabbed on after the jam. 7. Don't dip the sugar tong or sugar spoon into your tea if you are taking sugar. 8. Stir the tea with your teaspoon and then place the teaspoon on the saucer behind the cup. 9. If your tea is too hot, simply leave it on the table to cool. Don't blow on it to cool the tea down - and especially not to the point where you're creating a tsunami in a teacup! 10. Slurping is not acceptable... 11. ...And neither is dunking biscuits! 12. Whatever our American friends might say, it really isn't necessary to stick your little finger/pinky out when drinking tea from a teacup. Who does that??? But if that's what you wish to do, then fine! This is of course a rough guide and 'rules' are pretty much up to you.. The most important rules which goes without saying is that everyone should be happy, comfy, well-fed and having fun! Enjoy!!! Images: Pixabay Banner: Angel Noire using Pixabay images Word Cloud: Angel Noire

For many of us, our love affair with banana bread began when we were navigating the bizarre situation that was the lockdown. So 2020 will not only be known as the year when a virus shut the world down, but it will also be the year when the world was given banana bread - in a big way! In fact why there wasn't a shortage of bananas, we don't know. So as an ode to the humble banana bread loaf, we thought we'd zhuzh things up a bit and create these fabulous Triple Chocolate Banana Bread Bars. Who doesn't love the combination of chocolate and banana together? A match made in dessert heaven! Makes: 16 cake bars INGREDIENTS: 250g plain flour 130g butter, softened 100g soft brown sugar 3 ripe bananas 2 eggs, beaten 1tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla extract 1tsp. ground cinnamon 1tsp. ground ginger 1tsp. ground cloves 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 50g chopped nuts (whatever you like!) 50g dark chocolate chips 30g cacao powder 50g milk chocolate chips 50ml milk 50ml condensed milk THIS IS HOW WE DO IT: Preheat oven to 160ºC. Grease and line 2 22cm x 24cm cake tins. Cream the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Mash the bananas. How smoothly you mash the depends on whether you like to find big banana chunks in your cake (we do!) Add the mashed bananas to the butter and sugar mixture. Then add the eggs, vanilla and spices. Sieve the flour, baking powder, cacao powder and bicarbonate of soda into the bowl and mix well. Add the chocolate chips, nuts and both types of milk and mix well. Spoon mixture into the cake tins. Bake in the middle shelf of oven for about 25 minsutes. Insert a skewer or knife into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean it's ready. Take the banana bread out of the oven and allow to cool slightly. Slice into rectangles while in the tin. Remove from tin and scoff. Sharing optional. COOK'S TIP: 1. Instead of making cake bars, this mixture can be used to make loaves or muffins. Just substitute cake tins for loaf tins or muffin tray lined with muffin cases. 2. A good glug of rum can be added to the mixture. Photos: Pixabay Word cloud: Angel Noire

Another year is on the way out and we are all awaiting the new one. Some of us at this moment are preparing for the New Year's Eve bash we're going to throw tonight. Others are excitingly getting ready for the New Year's Eve bash we're going to attend. And for some of us, well it's just a cozy night in as we see the new year in quietly. But all of us will be wondering what 2024 has in store for us... and hoping that it'll be something great! 2023 has been a real roller-coaster of a year for us. During the early part of the year, we were met with a great deal of sadness of which we are still working our way through. The one good thing that came out of it, was the love and support of family and friends who rallied around and let us know that we were far from alone. Everyone always says you know who your real friends are you're going through a crisis. Well I'd like to think that we always knew who our real friends were but this just confirmed it. But it wasn't all heartbreak and devastation. This year was a very busy year with lots of new experiences and travel to places we'd never been to before. I made my annual visit to London to see family and I got to celebrate my birthday with my immediate family for the first time in over a decade, I reckon! We did a road trip with my sister's family which we really enjoyed. We had two lots of friends come over from Britain, had another amazing road trip up to Montreal and our stay there was nothing short of magical. We had an amazing Thanksgiving with The Fella's best friend and his family, and a very peaceful Christmas. Oh and I had my first ever girl's trip! I've never had a holiday with the girls before but at my grand old age, I finally did it and we had great fun. I cannot wait to hang out with the girls again. It really can't come soon enough. And in other events, we saw the coronation of King Charles III. William and Kate became the Prince and Princess of Wales as they move one step closer to the throne. Harry and Meghan were well, Harry and Meghan! Barbie starring Margot Robbie in the title role became a box-office smash with the world going Barbie-pink mad. His obsession with the letter 'X' led owner Elon Musk to rename Twitter well, X (although it'll always be Twitter to us!) And as is sadly the case every year, we said bid farewell to a host of famous stars as they were laid to rest. These included Tina Turner; Suzanne Somers; Lisa Marie Presley; Len Goodman; Shane McGowan; Sir Michael Gambon; David McCullam; Tony Bennett; Paul Reubens; Sir Michael Parkinson; Sinead O'Connor; Jane Birkin; Jerry Springer; Paul Cattermole; Raquel Welch; Burt Bacharach; Tatjana Patitz, and most recently Ryan O' Neal to name just a few. The loss of a person is always hard, and obviously heartbreaking for family and friends. But one loss that sent shockwaves around the world was the passing of Friends star Matthew Perry. For almost three decades he brought laughter into so many people's households - mine included - with his portrayal of the king of sarcasm Chandler Bing. No matter what might have been going on in our lives, an episode of Friends could make everything right in the world again even if it was just for a while. And Matthew contributed to that greatly, and I for one am very grateful May they all rest in eternal peace... And there was further despair around the world, as conflict and bloodshed raged on in certain parts of the world. We saw images of hardship and suffering which is not an easy thing to handle. If it's hard for you to watch these images on a screen, you can only imagine what it's like for the people caught in the midst of such turbulence. We're all hoping that conflict everywhere can be resolved peacefully, and also that there won't be new surge of war or any other disaster next year. We can only hope and pray that 2024 will be happier for us, and a great year all round for everyone. xx Photos and GIFs: Wix Blog graphics: Angel Noire

When I have to teach my students the word 'habit' and how to use it, I often go around the room asking each one of them what their worst habit is, and sometimes the bold ones will turn the tables on me and ask me what mine is. I often respond along the lines of drinking too much coffee or eating too much chocolate. But I've just realized that my worst habit is actually far worse than that. My worst habit is that I am forever starting things and then not finishing them - a habit that stems from childhood. I feel like I should stand up in a room and declare, "Hello. My name's Angel and I'm a quit-aholic. It's been two hours since I abandoned my most recent project." Think I'm joking? Think again! At sixteen, I gave up A-level French because after being top of my French class for years, it came as a shock to find that I was struggling with the language at non-phrase book level. "You give up too easily," said one of my classmates. Well I couldn't argue with that! Fast forward several years and I've lost count of the number of home study courses that are still incomplete; the lessons for singing, dancing, and various instruments that I stopped attending early on; those books that are falling off my bookcase on subjects I'd always said I'd wanted to know more about but never managed to get past the introduction; the language CDs and DVDs which taught me hello and goodbye in many languages but not much else. Then there are the craft kits that are collecting dust, the work-out equipment that looks just as it did when I brought them home from the shops, the blog posts I started last year but haven't got round to finishing; the drafts of plays, short stories, and novels that I always mean to work on; my ideas for new business ventures that remain just that... And these are just the ones I can remember. It all starts off so well with so much interest and enthusiasm. But as soon as I realise that it's not going to be as easy as I thought it would be or I feel I don't possess enough natural talent, I start to lose interest and lack the patience and perseverance necessary to keep going, which explains the reason why I only ever touch upon the basics (if that!) And at long last I've figured out what my problem, no, make that problems are and what lies at the crux of the issue: 1. Having a Finger, Thumb and Toe in Every Pie! As I have waaay too many related and unrelated interests. This leads to sloppy time management as there just aren't enough hours in the day to do everything, which in turn leads to an inability to focus because I'm trying to do too much and end up feeling overwhelmed. And many of my likeminded, 'creative type' friends agree with me. We're just so inquisitive and curious about everything and want to give it a go. We have a million things whirling around our heads like a cyclone. And then just as quickly as our interest appeared, it starts to wane, and we then move onto the next big thing. Well I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! 2. Being an Impatient Perfectionist I'm someone who wants everything to go swimmingly the first time I attempt it with hardly any error at all. But the realist in me knows that that's totally, um, unrealistic. Although there are some skills you'll pick up almost immediately, there will be plenty more where you'll have to work at it. And if you're dedicated enough, you'll understand that and put the work in. 3. Fear of Failure I have a deep-rooted fear of making a fool of myself. I've always been berated for being more pessimist than optimist, and I always expect things to not go as planned. So I figure, "Well, why bother?" Which is really silly I know considering there's lots of things that have actually worked out very well for me! 4. Procrastination! To top it all off, I have a tendency to procrastinate, especially when I feel that whatever I try to accomplish is never going to culminate in the desired result anyway (see point 3.) And there you have the perfect recipe for never getting anything done! Skipping Through the Day... But without meaning to sound overly dramatic (even though Mr. D says no one does overly dramatic quite like I do) I had a flashback to when I was five and we were practising for sports day at school. I had been put in the skipping race even though I couldn't skip to save my life. Feeling deflated at being laughed at and ridiculed by the other kids, I persuaded my mum to buy me a skipping rope. That weekend she did. From morning until evening honing my skipping skills was pretty much all I did. And do you know what? None of the other kids ever laughed at me again. Do you know why? Because I was lethal with a skipping rope (and not because I tried to whack them with it. Although I probably should have done!) I also remember having incredibly sore legs the next day but I now realise that that was a good thing. No pain, no gain and all that! Recalling this event has restored a lot of my inner confidence. It reminded me that with a lot of determination, hard work, and persistence you really can achieve anything - that's not just talk show host speak! I remember that five year old who had enough fire in her belly to go out there and show everyone that she had what it took. She didn't think that it was too complicated or unachievable. She didn't listen to those who said that she couldn't do it. Perhaps it's time I followed my younger self's example. But then I realized that the determination of my younger self did crop up over the years. It was that determination that helped me achieve two degrees; fulfil my dream of studying drama; train as a florist; pass my driving test (something my dad thought was never going to happen) and carve out a career as an EFL teacher for the past eight years. I certainly didn't give up at the first hurdle there. Maybe I do have it in me to get things done after all. But I do feel angry at myself for allowing this habit to continue for as long as it has. I've missed out on developing new skills and interests not to mention wasting sh**loads of money. But now that I've realized where I've gone wrong, I don't have to allow this habit to continue. So what exactly do I need to do? 1. Prioritize! We all have the same twenty four hours in a day, and for many of us it's not enough. We have to accept that we're only human and we'll never be able to give our full attention to everything at once, and attempting to do so will only end in suffering from burnout. So the key here - after acceptance - is the need to prioritize and concentrate on what's most important to us. I can always give the other interests a go when I've fulfilled these goals. 2. Create a Schedule And once you've figured out what's important to you, make a commitment to dedicate some time each day or each week (even if it's just a little time) to a particular activity or task, and really make a promise to yourself to go for it. After all you owe it to yourself to try - plus if you're anything like me, you'll want to get my money's worth out of all the stuff you've purchased! If you need a little extra guidance, create a list or a schedule. Don't scoff - you'll be amazed at how much you're able to get done, and you'll feel this sense of satisfaction at how much you've achieved. It's also a good way to keep track of your progress. 3. Break it Down You wouldn't try to shove a whole steak in your gob (unless it's a very bizarre party piece!) because we all know things are easier to accomplish in bite-size pieces. So if you are going to create some kind of schedule, remember to break down your tasks. You might have 'practice guitar' on your list of things to do that day, but decide what it is you need to do with regards to practicing guitar. Are there new chords you need to learn? Do you need to work on your sight-reading skills? Perhaps there's a piece of music you need to get right. And if you're 'learning French,' decide what it is you're going to do with regards to your French studies: grammar; watching a French film; learning new vocabulary etc. 4. Understand That Perfectionism Can Be a Goal-killer! Try to stop getting so hung up on being able to do everything perfectly. Accept that we can't all be brilliant at the first attempt, and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm always telling my students that with practice and patience, you'll make vast improvements so maybe it's time I took some of my own advice. Until then, I'll just have to accept that I'm going to suck! Who cares if I can't ice a cake properly? I'm not Mary Berry! So what if I can't rock a guitar like Slash? At least I'll have fun trying. I heard someone say recently that it was better to do something badly than not at all, and that is all the inspiration I need (unless of course the doing something badly is flying a plane, performing life saving surgery or firing a gun in which case it really is better not to do them at all!) I'm going to leave you with this fantastic piece of advice from the legend that is Dave Grohl which is a reminder that even the greats don't always start out as great. Sure, you might be pants today, but tomorrow people might be throwing their pants at you while you're rocking out on stage! Right, now I'm off to a car boot sale to buy some sh**ty instruments and start putting all those 'teach yourself' guitar and drum books and DVDs to good use!

While people the world over will be out Trick or Treating, Bobbing For Apples or shaking their tailfeather while donning a super scary costume, those of us who grew up in Britain will know that Before Halloween took over the country, as it did the world, as the most highly anticipated autumnal event, there was another event, celebrated annually in Britain that was once the highlight of the season and also had origins of the macabre and sinister variety - Guy Fawkes Night. Also known as Bonfire Night and informally known as Fireworks Night, this great event takes place on November 5th - just a few days after Halloween. Unfortunately though, Guy Fawkes Night has fallen out of favour a fair bit ever since most of the world - British folk included - decided that they'd rather don costumes, visit haunted houses and partake in other traditions made famous by our American cousins. But while Guy Fawkes Night isn't the biggest event on the British social calendar that it once was, there are still a lot of people who do celebrate the anniversary of the foiled terrorist attack on Parliament back in the seventeenth century. And for those who do choose to celebrate in style, they will partake in traditions such as setting off a plethora of fireworks in their back garden; attending fireworks displays; gathering around the bonfire with their nearest and dearest, as well as indulging in traditional Bonfire Night fare which includes... parkin! WHAT IS PARKIN? Parkin is an ever so delicious baked goody that's as synonymous with Guy Fawkes Night as bonfires, Catherine wheels, and toffee apples. This spiced, sweet treat is traditionally served up on Guy Fawkes Night and is the perfect thing to tuck into while gathered around the glowing flames of a bonfire on a cold, dark night. It's very similar to gingerbread in appearance and taste but it has a different texture as one of the key ingredients is coarsely ground oatmeal. Parkin also contains spices, lots of molasses, treacle or golden syrup which gives parkin its sticky texture. There are two types of parkin - one that hails from Lancashire and the other from Yorkshire. One of the things that's quite unusual about parkin is that you're not supposed to consume it the day it's baked. Instead you leave it in an airtight container for the parkin to 'mature;' so that the flavour develops and the sticky texture intensifies. HOW LONG DO YOU LEAVE IT TO MATURE FOR? Hmm, this depends. Some recipes claim that three to five days is sufficient. Others say seven, some say ten, and there's a couple who tell you to leave it in an airtight container for as long as is humanly possible! The first time we made parkin we consumed it after ten days and it lasted for three weeks. The second time was also left to mature around ten days but unfortunately it didn't keep for more than two weeks after that. It would appear that the more sugar you add to the recipe, the longer the parkin keeps. But we think five to seven days is a good amount of time to allow the parkin to mature. SO WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LANCASHIRE AND YORKSHIRE PARKIN? Lancashire parkin is lighter, more golden brown in colour as it contains more golden syrup. Yorkshire parkin is darker in colour with a much deeper flavour as it's made with black molasses. If you're a newcomer to parkin it might be an idea to try the Lancashire version first, as some find the Yorkshire version a bit bitter due to the high black molasses content. That might explain why Yorkshire parkin is generally served in wedges topped with stewed apple. Lancashire parkin, on the other hand, is sweeter and tastes a lot more like regular gingerbread. And while not necessarily customary, there's no reason why you can't serve Lancashire parkin with a portion of apple compote because who can say no to apple desserts... though people in Lancashire might beg to differ! THE ORIGINS OF PARKIN While the origins of this deliciously, sticky cake with a spicy kick are not totally clear, we do know that parkin is peculiar to the north of England. Some believe that parkin is older than Guy Fawkes himself and could be linked to Paganism or All Saints Day. But it became more popular in eighteenth century England, and the first mention of parkin by name could be found in court records from 1728, where one Anne Whittaker was accused of stealing oatmeal to make it! Guy Fawkes Night staples such as Parkin and Bonfire Toffee were popular many centuries ago because they were easy to make and kept for a long time. This was the late eighteenth century in England when refined white sugar was very expensive and not easily affordable by those who lived in the poorer northern region of the country. So instead of the refined, white sugar, they opted for its cheaper counterpart - treacle! Another thing that was consumed in large quantities was oatmeal, a less costly cereal. Treacle and oatmeal - the two chief ingredients of parkin! Go ahead and give our recipe a go - we hope you won't be disappointed. INGREDIENTS 8oz/2 cups/227g plain flour 7oz/1 cup/200g soft dark brown sugar 6oz/1 cup/170g medium oatmeal 3 level tsps./9g ground ginger 1 level tsp/3g ground nutmeg (optional) 1 level tsp./3g ground cinnamon (optional) 2" piece of root ginger, peeled and finely grated (optional) 5oz/142g butter 1 egg 3 fl oz/89ml black treacle or black molasses 7 fl oz/207ml golden treacle or golden syrup 1 level tsp./5g bicarbonate of soda 1/4 pint/5 fl oz/150ml of warm milk 1/2 level tsp./3g salt METHOD Preheat the oven to 325°F/170°C/Gas Mark 3 Grease an 8x8 baking tin and line the bottom with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, mix oatmeal, flour, spices (including root ginger if using) salt. In a saucepan, place brown sugar, butter, black treacle/molasses, golden treacle/syrup, and gently heat the mixture until sugar has thoroughly melted while taking care NOT to boil the mixture. Remove sugar mixture from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. In the meanwhile, dissolve the bicarbonate into the warm milk. When sufficiently cool, add the beaten egg and mix well. Pour sugar mixture into the dry mixture and combine well. Add milk mixture and combine well to form a thick, sticky batter. Pour the batter into baking tin and bake for 70 minutes or until a skewer inserted into middle of cake comes out clean. The cake should be quite firm and springy. Allow parkin to cool in tin. Remove from tin, remove parchment paper, and cut into squares. As difficult as this may be, place parkin squares in airtight container and leave it in there for at least three days! allow it to sit for at least 3 days before eating. NOTES A lot of the recipes we looked at when trying to make parkin don't necessarily specify a particular type of oats. But we can tell you that Instant oats are definitely out and are not recommended for Parkin. The kind of oats traditionally used when baking parkin are steel-cut oats. We have however used rolled oats and it has been fine. A medium-coarse oatmeal is needed for parkin, so if necessary the oatmeal can be briefly pulsed in a food processor until they are broken down to the required sized pieces. But be careful about overdoing it and pulsing the oatmeal into a fine flour which is not what you want, as you need it to be more on the coarse side in the name of texture! As you know Yorkshire parkin generally uses black treacle/molasses while Lancashire parkin uses golden syrup. However while it may not necessarily be traditional, there's nothing to stop you mixing the two until you get the desired flavour. The ratio of black treacle parts to golden syrup is a matter of personal taste. Yes it's trial and error but a helpful hint is that if you prefer fuller, stronger flavour then head down the Yorkshire route and add more black molasses. But if you would prefer a more milder but still delicious flavour, then go for more of the golden syrup.

Everyone likes a freebie, don't they! When we started the Peppermint Teal site, our focus was on our brand of better living and life-enhancement. AchieveMint... EnjoyMint... Life-EnhanceMint! We wanted to use our experiences and what we've learned over the years and put it all to good use in the hope that we'd be able to help others. And one thing we've learned is that anything that makes your life easier and more manageable is not to be sniffed at. You're like, "Duh! We know that!" Well we know you know that! The question is what are you doing in order to make your life easier and more manageable? What time-saving tips are you using? Are your cluttered surroundings causing you a huge amount of overwhelm? Are you taking steps to create a more stress-free lifestyle? Are you having problems juggling, remembering and managing everything? The problem is that even if you've said yes to even one of these, a lot of people are too overwhelmed to do anything about it, feeling that just a few simple tweaks to their routine or the way they do things, won't really change anything. But that's not necessarily true. Routine, structure, having a place for everything and everything in it's place goes a long way to creating improvements in productivity, organization and efficiency. Which in turn can lead to less stress and overwhelm, and can save time and money. So Peppermint Teal came up with the idea to create a range of free printables which can help with certain aspects of your life which should hopefully lead to easier, more manageable, stress-free living. So we're starting you off with a weekly schedule planner and a blank recipe card which you can use to jot down your healthy, delicious meals, your tasty treats, or your therapeutic bakes! These can be downloaded to use on your device or if you're old-school like us (or you just like pretty printables!) you can always print them out and pop them in a file, stick them on on your wall, your fridge... whatever works best for you. And yes, that's right, it's all FREE!!! But it's only free to members of Peppermint Teal so if you're not already a member, why not sign up now? That's also totally free plus you also get a free self-care eBook!

These days most of us tend to be cappuccino and cake kind of people, but seriously - who doesn't love a good tea party? Especially if it's done properly. This rather elegant pastime is considered to be a quintessentially British pursuit; so much so that in the States, an afternoon tea party is considered to be a regular occurrence for all British people. Well sorry to be the bearer of bad news guys, but most of us from the 'old country' don't even own a piece of fine bone China, never mind use it every day. Most of us can't even remember the last time we used a saucer! On the rare occasions us cappuccino drinkers do drink tea, it's usually from a take-away cup - just like our cappuccinos! But a classic afternoon tea party can be a fabulous occasional treat and is very popular for birthdays, bridal showers, anniversaries... and some married couples opt for a tea party instead of a full on traditional three course wedding breakfast. Tea parties are great for when you feel like being super elegant and refined and want to go overboard with the dress coats, tea dresses, hats, gloves, monocles, pearls... Told you it's not an every day thing! Tea parties can vary in terms of theme, style and food served. Although they are usually considered to be quite formal occasions, they don't always have to be. They're just great fun; ultra relaxing, and a chance to socialize with a cup of tea and a huge slice of cake! However if you choose to go down the formal route, there are certain customs you might want to take heed of. So here's the low-down on tea party etiquette. TEA PARTY ETIQUETTE IF YOU'RE THE HOSTESS: 1. Depending on the occasion and how formal you want to be, you may want to send out proper written invitations rather than to simply text/phone email them. Make sure you send these out in plenty of time. 2. Once you've greeted your guests, show them to the table and invite them to sit down. Whether you give them assigned seating or allow them to chose their own seats is up to you. 3. As the hostess, it's your job to serve each of the courses and pour the tea. Make sure the conversation is flowing as much as the tea is, and that your guests have enough to eat and drink. 4. It's fine to arrange for someone else to do the serving if you wish so that you can concentrate on just having a good time with your guests. 5. If you are not able to get outside help and you have a fairly large number of guests, you can nominate a couple of friends to help serve - especially if you know that they are happy to do so! 6. You might think you are being helpful to your guests by bringing ready-sliced scones to the table but these are always served whole. IF YOU'RE THE GUEST: 1. It's always nice to bring a small gift for the host or hostess. 2. Take your place at the table and wait to be served. 3. Keep your purse or handbag on your lap or behind your chair but not on the table. 4. When the party's over, always send a handwritten note of thanks to your host - preferably within a week. FOR EVERYONE: 1. Place napkins on your lap. If you need to leave the table, leave the napkin on your chair and not on the table. 2. No reaching across the table for anything. If you'd like something, ask someone to pass it to you. 3. It's perfectly acceptable to eat with your fingers - no one eats sandwiches with a knife and fork - but anything that has the potential to be messy should be eaten with a fork. 4. Remember that thick cream is for scones - not for tea! 5. Take small bites of the sandwiches no matter how tiny they are. Don't cram a whole one into your mouth. Now is not the time for party pieces! 6. When eating scones or muffins, break off a bite-size piece, then put a small amount of butter and/or jam on it. If clotted cream is being served, a small amount can be dabbed on after the jam. 7. Don't dip the sugar tong or sugar spoon into your tea if you are taking sugar. 8. Stir the tea with your teaspoon and then place the teaspoon on the saucer behind the cup. 9. If your tea is too hot, simply leave it on the table to cool. Don't blow on it to cool the tea down - and especially not to the point where you're creating a tsunami in a teacup! 10. Slurping is not acceptable... 11. ...And neither is dunking biscuits! 12. Whatever our American friends might say, it really isn't necessary to stick your little finger/pinky out when drinking tea from a teacup. Who does that??? But if that's what you wish to do, then fine! This is of course a rough guide and 'rules' are pretty much up to you.. The most important rules which goes without saying is that everyone should be happy, comfy, well-fed and having fun! Enjoy!!! Images: Pixabay Banner: Angel Noire using Pixabay images Word Cloud: Angel Noire

There are many reasons why people decide to live abroad: work, study, love, a fresh start or just a deep desire to try something new and broaden their horizons. And while there are a great number of other benefits to living abroad, there's unfortunately also a less than fabulous side. For those of us who have lived or are living the ex-pat life, you know that it's a bit of a roller-coaster ride. On the one hand you're embarking on a new adventure; experiencing the excitement of a different way of life; a new beginning; meeting new people... But then on the other hand, becoming an ex-pat is so much more than just sailing off into the sunset with your polka-dot knotted hanky on a stick! Big moves often come with big lifestyle changes which can sometimes feel a bit unsettling and overwhelming as you try to integrate yourself into a new country. In this two part post, we take a look at the highs and lows of living in another country; hear the experiences of those who, for better or for worse have made the move and talk about ex-pat life as it really is, and look at ways to ride those highs while trying to steer clear of the lows as much as possible. In this first part, we take a look at the benefits, advantages and all the good things that life in another country has to offer. 1. LIVING THE DREAM! When we were little and we started learning about different countries at school; met someone interesting from abroad, or started watching the latest foreign import soap opera, we all at one time or another harboured aspirations to go and live in another country when we grew up. And for some of us, the dream doesn't necessarily die when we reach adulthood; it's just that real-life gets in the way. So the dream remains just that - a dream. That's why it really is an achievement when you take that step and actually go and set up home in another country. It's quite an accomplishment to be able to get your visas/permits; hop on a plane with some of your most treasured possessions; get a new job; a new place to live; make new friends, and basically start navigating a new way of life. It's a chance to get out of the rut of everyday life in the same town with the same faces. Remember you are doing what most people wish to do but never actually get round to doing, so don't forget how fortunate you are to have this opportunity and really go for it. MAKE THE MOST OF IT! Have you ever seen the look of pure wonder on a toddler's face after seeing a decorated Christmas tree for the first time? Moving to a new country means you're going to be experiencing plenty of new wonderful and amazing things whether it's the local cuisine, fashion trends, historical sites, cultural events etc. So get out there and make sure you have as many of these 'wow' moments as possible. Aim for as many cultural experiences as you can whether it's learning a new language, playing the country's national sport, or exploring your new country's arts scene. Share what you've learned/experienced with your family and friends back home. It'll give them a new perspective on life in general as well as dispel any long-held myths they may have had about your adopted country. You never know - it may inspire them to visit... or even think about going to live in another country. Most people love learning about other people's cultures so the locals might be quite intrigued by you and want to know more about where you come from. Introduce them to popular TV shows from home or invite your new friends over and cook them a traditional meal. Share your experiences with the world! Have you noticed how many expat blogs and vlogs there are out there? As an expat, you are blessed with the opportunity of experiencing life in a country different to the one you grew up in. The experiences that you have and the things that you have learned could prove invaluable to others including future expats or people who just want to have a general idea of life abroad. So find a way of documenting these experiences which you can then share with others. 2. STEPPING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE Even the most outgoing, adventurous of people can often feel overwhelmed by relocating to another country where you have to start from scratch. Moving abroad isn't just a question of stepping out of your comfort zone — it’s often feels more like taking a big, massive leap. Through a hoop. That's flaming. Backwards! If you flunked GCSE French, the thought of having to learn another language may fill you with dread. If you never learned to drive/are a nervous driver/find owning a vehicle to be a major expense and hassle, you'll be horrified at living in a place which doesn't have a good public transport system. You'll also have to explore your new surroundings; get to grips with the work culture; register with a doctor; set up your finances... and that's all before you learn where the best places to hang out and meet people are! For those of us who aren't keen on change or don't have the biggest sense of adventure, moving abroad can be a seriously overwhelming experience. But it's amazing what you can do when you need to. A lot of people who have made the leap abroad have felt that this has boosted their confidence; enabled them to grow; has got them out of their shell, and uncovered their true potential. MAKE THE MOST OF IT! While some people like to jump in head first and go with the flow, others prefer to be well prepared. If you're the latter, be sure to do your research first so that there are no nasty surprises when you get there. As well as the necessary documents and immunizations you'll need prior to leaving - which are essential knowledge - find out whatever else you'll need to know, from food, healthcare, climate, laws, and customs to what to expect on a daily basis. Research enables you to discover where you need to compromise/work around, and what's an absolute deal breaker before you even contemplate a new life abroad. Having something to focus on and work towards will prevent those feelings of being stuck. So think of attainable goals you would like to achieve while you're out there - learning a new skill; retraining; volunteering etc. - as this will make your time in your new country more productive and give you that sense of achievement. Let's not lie - stepping out of your comfort zone isn't easy. But you don't have to do anything big and bold upon arriving. Take those all-important baby steps: find a new local coffee shop; try a different route to work; join an activity group; say hi to the regulars at your local pub... each new thing you do, no matter how small will get you used to your new environment. Every little step will help you get accustomed to your new home. And if it's something that gets you out of the house and meeting new people, that's even better. If you're unable to continue with the activities you did at home, break out of your comfort zone and try something new. Ask around or look online to see what's available. If you really feel up to pushing past your limits, why not begin your own activity group, either through the local library, meetup group, or even your place of worship. There's lots of options available and the more you do, the more you'll feel comfortable in your new surroundings. It's useful to get to know expats from other countries, and meet people who are in/have been in the same situation as you. You might find that they are a huge source of advice and support. It'd be handy to look up expat groups on social networking sites to connect with other people from around the world who might just be living on your doorstep. 3. MAKING NEW FRIENDS... AND POSSIBLY FINDING LOVE! The internet and modern day technology have made the world seem a lot smaller and now meeting people from all over the world has become a whole lot easier. And all from the comfort of your living room! But of course when you go to live in another country, you come into contact on a regular basis with people you might otherwise never have met - even in your living room while on a social media platform! Whether it's your new work colleagues who you get to know over after-work drinks; hanging out with your new neighbours, or even making friends with the guy who runs the coffee shop - it's amazing the people you'll cross paths with and you might even become lifelong friends. Or find lasting love! MAKE THE MOST OF IT: Say yes to as many invites as possible. Don't be shy! It's true that a lot of people like to keep their work life separate from their home life but if your new work lot invite you out to lunch or after work drinks, it'd be a good idea to go. It's a good way of easing yourself into a new social scene. While we know that not all neighbours are like the ones you find on Ramsay Street, if you live in the kind of neighbourhood where they all get together, have cook-outs, and generally have something of a community vibe, give it a go and try to join in. There's absolutely nothing wrong with hanging out with other expats but make sure your circle includes a lot of the locals too. Join a class or activity group to so you can meet more likeminded people. Join a dating site if it's love you're looking for. Or see what events there are for singles. 4. REINVENTING YOURSELF Moving to another country brings out a side to you you never knew existed - as well as the chance to restart your life. A lot of people who have made a new life in a new country have said that they're not the same person they were when they arrived. Moving abroad brings about a lot of changes and gives you the chance to reinvent yourself. You learn to adapt to your surroundings; pick up new skills and ways of doing things; you come out of your shell more, and really appreciate the person that you've become. MAKE THE MOST OF IT! Many people living abroad often find themselves with more time on their hands than they had at home, so use this time to do something that you've always wanted to do but didn't have the chance to when you were at home. It might be taking a class, trying a new activity, or trying to realize a long-held ambition... now is your time to put all that into action. Now is a good time to sort out bad habits. Perhaps you've moved somewhere where healthy eating and an active lifestyle is the norm, or where smoking and drinking is a bit of a no-no. This is your chance to reduce your consumption of junk food, cigarettes and alcohol (if you can't cut them out altogether) and adopt some good habits in order to make important changes to your lifestyle. If for whatever reason you need a career change, look into the possibility of retraining. Check out colleges which do the accredited courses you need to get you into your new chosen field. 5. IMMERSING YOURSELF IN A NEW CULTURE We could always learn a language at an evening class; grab a recipe from a magazine, and watch cultural festivities on TV... But what better way to understand a new culture than full cultural immersion; by going to the country and experiencing everything that it has to offer first hand? When in another country and totally immersed in the culture, you learn things that you could never get from a book or documentary. You begin to understand the nuances, different aspects, and subcultures within a particular culture. You learn what is important to certain communities and what they hold dear. Whether we like to admit it or not, most of us have presumptions and preconceptions about different countries and communities. Once you have a better understanding of other cultures and you’ve seen your preconceptions proved wrong, you’ll be careful not to be jump to assumptions so quickly in the future. Seeing how people live in another country can also give you a new perspective on life, and will enable you to incorporate these discoveries into your own life. You'll chill out more if you find yourself living in a place where the pace of life is slower and less hectic. Where there is an emphasis on a more outdoorsy lifestyle, you may become more active and nature-loving. And the issues that exist in your adopted homeland may have you developing a deeper appreciation for your own place of birth and the things you took for granted. And let's not forget being exposed to popular culture and entertainment that you might otherwise have missed out on. MAKE THE MOST OF IT: Go with an open mind and understand that things may be very different to what you're used to at home. Things that are weird/acceptable at home may be seen in a different light in your new country. Be aware of the local culture and social conventions and remember when in Rome... You have the perfect opportunity to learn and master a new language. This is a great skill and will really enable you to understand and integrate into the local culture. Try new activities and sample new cuisines. See what your new home has to offer. While it's always good to make friends with any fellow expats, remember that when it comes to understanding the ways of your adopted country, there's no better teacher than the locals, so don't shy away from including them in your social circle. Joining in with festivities is another good way to learn about the culture. So try to attend any of the events that the locals will be going to. These are often centered around a holiday or celebration with religious/cultural significance and is a good learning - not to mention fun - experience. Plus it's also a great way to meet new people. What do you love about living the expat life? Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics and word cloud: Angel Noire

A deliciously fruity cocktail, delicately fragranced with rose, and just the right amount of fizz! Try our Pomegranate Roseberry Sparkler. POMEGRANATE ROSEBERRY SPARKLER Prep time: 5 mins Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500ml pomegranate juice 100gm raspberries, pureed and sieved 1tbsp. rosewater 200ml sparkling wine Seeds from one pomegranate, muddled Pink or red rose petals to garnish THIS IS HOW WE DO IT! 1. Add the pomegranate juice to the muddled pomegranate seeds and stir well. 2. Add the rosewater. 3. Divide the raspberry puree between the four glasses. 4. Half fill the glass with the pomegranate juice. 1. Mix the pomegranate juice, rosewater, pomegranate seeds, and raspberry puree in a jug. 2. Half-fill four glasses with the pomegranate mixture. 3. Top up with the sparkling wine. 4. Garnish with rose petals. 5. Enjoy! Main Image: Pixabay Banner: Angel Noire using Pixabay images Word cloud: Angel Noire

ANGEL'S SKIN PROFILE: - Eczema prone skin in recovery (using prescribed cream, vitamin supplements, suitable skin-care products etc ) - Suffered from slight acne during teens and early twenties.  Outgrew acne. - Combination skin: slightly greasy T-zone, dryness around cheeks and mouth. - Starting to get first signs of fine lines on forehead and faint smile lines. I was brought up on the 'cleanse, tone, moisturize' mantra but nobody ever told me to 'double-cleanse, tone, moisturize.' I have recently discovered the benefits of double cleansing and I can honestly hand-on-heart say that my skin has never looked so good. Being the kind of girl who has never been blessed with perfect skin - and never will be - I have to work harder than most to keep it looking as healthy as possible. THE PROBLEM: But about a month ago my skin looked - how shall I put this - bloody awful! It was dry, tight,  blotchy, itchy and a very unflattering shade of grey. As I suffer from a very mild form of eczema, I was having flare-ups in very quick succession despite using my prescribed cream. I was also convinced that I could see the faint traces of lines beginning to form. Nothing I used or did seemed to work. I'd be applying more make-up than usual, and I knew I still looked horrendous. It's times like this, I wish I wasn't so anti-Botox! THE REASONS: Unfortunately I commit way too many skin sins: I go to bed way too late; don't exercise enough; wear make-up every day; drink coffee every morning; drink alcohol but not enough water; eat way too much junk... the list just goes on and on. This summer I committed the cardinal sin of not wearing any sunscreen. Terrible! I also have been guilty of using facial wipes to remove my make-up which doesn't effectively remove all the impurities. And admittedly there were times I actually went to bed with my make-up on. It's no surprise my skin looked horrendous. However, I'm not a complete skin sinner. I have started to make an effort to eat healthier; I don't smoke; I limit myself to one cup of coffee a day; I take vitamin supplements; use mainly organic products and being habitually late for everything means that I get regular exercise in the form of power walking! As I wear make-up everyday (although not a lot) I'd gotten into the habit of giving myself mini-facials every Sunday in order to get my skin feeling really clean. THE SOLUTION: So after a considerable amount of time feeling sorry for myself, I decided to spring into action. First of all, I decided to get rid of anything that I thought might be making my skin look bad and feel irritable. I stopped the mini-facials as I felt that the frequency of these might actually be doing more harm than good. I ditched my wash-off cleanser even though it's organic as I figured that water might be drying out my skin. I then used a mixture of manuka honey and cream to cleanse my face - until I found a more convenient substitute. I started drinking more water. Cut back on alcohol. Upped my intake of fruit and veggies. Started going to bed early (well for me anyway!) Slowly I started to see a difference. THE MIRACLE: Then I heard about the concept of double cleansing. It basically involves using an oil-based pre-cleanser before applying your usual cleanser and then toning and moisturising as usual. I wasn't sure how effective it would be with regards to my skin problems but decided that I had nothing to lose by giving it a go - and seeing all the amazing products that are available  made the decision even easier! The aim of the pre-cleanser is to get rid of 'nasties'  that your normal cleanser alone may not be able to handle on its own such as excess sebum, sunscreen, waterproof makeup, environmental pollutants and residual product build-up. GETTING STARTED: I eventually settled on a pre-cleansing oil and wipe-off cream cleanser by Una Brennan which is available from Boots. I chose the hydrating rose variety as I felt that my skin would benefit from it the most. It's not organic but it does contain many wonderful skin-friendly goodies such as shea butter, rose oil provitamin B5 and marshmallow.  And although I know it makes sense to use products from the same range, I had already bought some argan oil day and night creams which I had felt would be beneficial to my skin so I didn't bother buying a new moisturiser. I really liked the description on the pre-cleansing oil that stated that we should leave the oil on our faces for a while before wiping it off just to enjoy the aroma and this was my inspiration to turning my night-time cleansing ritual into a real pampering treatment. THE DOUBLE CLEANSING METHOD: Warm 2-3 drops of Una Brennan's Miracle Makeover Facial Oil  in the palms of your hands. Slowly massage oil onto your face and  in slow circular movements. Leave for a few minutes. Then dampen a flannel in warm water before carefully wiping off oil. This is followed by using the Calming Creamy Cleanser, applied with fingertips in slow circular movements. Remove using a flannel dampened in warm water. Pat face dry. Tone skin using pure rosewater. Apply vitamin E oil. Apply argan oil day/night cream. Apply eye cream. It may seem like a lot of steps but it really is quick, simple and effective. If it works for someone like me who is always pushed for time, it'll work for anyone! THE RESULTS: In one word - amazing! My skin feels so soft and smooth and looks clearer, radiant and healthy. The dry, tight sensation has gone and I'm now having to hunt the fine lines I saw! It itches a lot less and my skin feels less rough and bumpy. I'm getting fewer spots and I feel that the double-cleansing treatment is really effective as I feel that my moisturizers are being absorbed into my skin much more. I have been using this method for only three weeks and can already see the difference which surprised me because I thought I would have to wait a lot longer to see results. The state of my skin used to depress me but now I feel confident going make-up free. Obviously everyone's skin is different and responds differently to different products. The secret is in knowing your skin and understanding what works best. I believe that the combination of rose, vitamin E and argan oils are working wonders for my skin but others may find that different products work effectively for them. I also believe - for me at least - that it's necessary to change products every so often as I've found that it is possible for your skin to become immune to products that were once very effective. Right now I am loving my skin. Great skin is an excellent base for make-up and if you haven't got that then no amount of make-up is going to improve the appearance or condition of your skin. And double-cleansing has also meant that I'm getting the most out of my moisturizers as it absorbs a lot faster and leaves my skin feeling moisturized for longer. It seems that lots of people have cottoned on to the concept of double-cleansing long before I did (always was the last to find out!) but now that I have discovered it, I will be putting it to good use. Blog graphics: Angel Noire

We all know the mantra, 'cleanse, tone, moisturise,' but how many of us have been encouraged to 'double-cleanse, tone, moisturise'? For some of us, cleansing, toning, and mosturizing can feel like a bit too much. And that's before we get on to serums and sunscreen! So the thought of spending extra time with double-cleansing fills a lot of people with dread. But when it comes to taking care of you skin, maintaining a good regime is a necessity in order to keep our skin looking healthy and good as we get older. And it doesn't have to be taxing and mundane. Peppermint Teal's founder Angel Noire tried out the double-cleanse method almost ten years ago when her skin had looked as though it had seen better days (it had!) Though once she heard about this new step for a more effective skincare regime, she gave it a go - and never looked back. SO WHAT IS DOUBLE CLEANSING? Double-cleansing is hardly some new skincare phenomenon as it's been around for ages. It's just that not everyone puts it into practice! Double-cleansing is exactly what it says on the tin - cleansing your face twice: First with an oil-based cleanser, and then with a water-based cleanser. SHOULD EVERYONE DOUBLE-CLEANSE? It depends. It's true that double-cleansing is NOT essential for everyone. For most, cleansing your face thoroughly is more than sufficient. But if the following applies to you, then to double cleanse your skin before reaching the other steps of your skincare routine might benefit you: If you have oily skin as it removes excess oil and sebum For those who are exposed to a lot more pollutants, dirt and grime If you wear a lot of make-up every day For those of you who wear sunscreen (which should be all of you!) If the above doesn't apply to you, you might still benefit from incorporating that extra double-cleansing step into your routine as it could help the water/cream based cleanser work more efficiently plus allow the skin to better absorb the other skincare products. ISN'T DOUBLE-CLEANSING HARSH FOR THE SKIN? Not if it's done properly and you apply two things: Products that are suitable for your skintype Common sense! You only really need to double-cleanse your face in the evening to remove the day's grime and make-up. Avoid products that are harsh, overly drying and contain undesirables such as alcohol and artificial fragrances. Stick to products that are organic and contain as many natural ingredients as possible. And if you encounter any issues with any of the products you're using, then obviously discontinue using it and switch to a more suitable product. BUT... It is true that double-cleansing may not for everyone. So if you feel as though it's drying out your skin and causing irritation, then skip the double cleanse. Furthermore, if you'd rather not use an oil-based cleanser (oil-based cleansers can cause break-outs for acne-prone skin) then you can substitute it for micellar water to break down make-up. SUITABLE WATER-BASED CLEANSERS FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES Normal skin Use a gentle, unscented water-based cleanser, cream or foaming depending on what you like best. Dry, sensitive skin Select a gentle, unscented water-based cleanser, preferable a cream cleanser rather than a foaming one as it's less drying. Combination skin If your skin is part oily, part dry — typically dry cheeks with a greasy t-zone - go for either product that's specially formulated for combination skin, or go for a cream-based cleanser for the dry areas and use a water-based foaming cleanser everywhere else. Oily or acne-prone skin Choose water-based foaming cleansers with active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic or glycolic acid. THE DOUBLE-CLEANSE ROUTINE: So, how do you double cleanse? Here’s a step-by-step guide. Apply an oil-based cleanser to your face and neck, and gently massage the cleanser into your skin, breaking down makeup and sunscreen residue as well as sebum and grime. With a flannel or soft sponge, rinse off using lukewarm water. Remember that water which is too hot can dry out your skin. Pat your skin dry with a towel but ensure that it's still a little damp. Then apply your water-based cleanser, massaging gently into the skin. Rinse off the cleanser as before. Gently dry skin with a soft towel. Now continue with the next steps of your cleansing routine e.g. - toning, serum, moisturizer etc. And it's as easy as that! Check out the next part of this post to see how Angel Noire got on with her double-cleansing skincare routine. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

At Peppermint Teal we get excited about methods, techniques and products that promote healthy and great-looking hair and skin while using as little 'nasties' or expensive, high-tech gadgets as possible. The more natural and inexpensive, the better. So when we came across this video on Yasuko Kawamura's YouTube channel for reverse hair brushing, we were instantly taken with it and had to find out more... Not to mention try it out for ourselves! Reverse hair brushing, also known as inverted hair brushing (but not to be confused with the inversion hair method which also promotes healthy hair growth but is a different technique) is something we hadn't come across before but we were drawn to it initially because it looked so satisfyingly relaxing and pampering, and appeared so simple to do. Plus we were intrigued by the use of the camelia oil and the wooden hair-brushing tools. Then we delved into the benefits of reverse hair brushing and the theory behind why it works and we just had to give it a go. So for those of you who are also new to reverse hair brushing and want to know more about it - read on! WHAT IS REVERSE HAIR BRUSHING? Kawamura has said that this type of brushing technique is very popular among celebrities in Japan in order to keep their hair beautiful and free of those pesky grey strands! It is a hair brushing technique that involves tipping your head forward and then brushing your hair from the base of your head to the tip of your hair as often as a hundred times. HOW DOES IT WORK? It is believed that brushing stimulates blood circulation to the scalp which is important for delivering more nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. This is important for healthy hair and melanocytes - the cells in the deepest part of the skin's epidermis (incidentally, melanocytes are also found in eyes) which produces and contains melanin. By keeping your melanocytes active and producing melanin which is then taken up into the hair, this may help keep your hair's natural colour and prevent greying - or at least excessive greying. While we haven't come across scientific evidence to back up these claims, the jury definitely seems to be out regarding the effectiveness of reverse hair brushing - or just brushing in general and the part in plays in hair and scalp health. Beverley Hills-based Dr. Ken Washenik, Board member of the North American Hair Research Society, claims that the belief that brushing your hair vigorously so that your scalp is stimulated thus increasing hair growth, is not backed up by any scientific or medical study. Though Arizona-based trichologist William Gaunitz believes that brushing can help with healthy hair growth. If the comments posted on Yasuko Kawamura's video are anything to go by, it would appear that those who have tried reverse-hair brushing or have done so for years, are very happy with the results. Perhaps it depends on the individual. The only way to find out for yourself if this will work or not is to give it a go. After all - you've got to brush your hair anyway so what have you got to lose? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REVERSE HAIR BRUSHING? Although Yasuko isn't making any wild claims, she does talk about this relaxing technique (one plus point already!) possibly helping to prevent grey hairs from appearing. She also states that it produces softer, smoother, more tangle-free hair. Yasuko doesn't mention anything about reverse hair brushing causing your hair to thicken or grow longer in record time. But people who have previously used various scalp massaging techniques have noticed such improvements so it's a possibility. Yasuko does go on to state that massaging the back of the head does give a facelift effect (though thankfully not of the aging-Hollywood starlet facelight variety!) and the reverse brushing technique can also help with that. How's that for an added bonus? HOW OFTEN SHOULD THIS TECHNIQUE BE DONE? When asked in the comments, Yasuko suggested once a day. Every other day can also work, but we also recommend taking a short break every so often to get better results. HOW LONG BEFORE YOU NOTICE RESULTS? Around one month but of course it varies from person to person WHAT DO YOU NEED? THE HAIR BRUSH And not just any old hair brush either! Because you need to massage the scalp, you don't want a brush that has sharp bristles. And it's best to avoid nylon or plastic brushes which can cause that dreaded staticky hair. No one wants to look like Mr. Majeika! A paddle brush with some cushioning, and wooden, fairly spaced-out, round-tipped bristles works best for this technique. Wix Yasuko Kawamura explains that in Japan, people would use combs or brushes made with boxwood. But boxwood brushes are far from cheap! Therefore bamboo makes a good substitute, doesn't create static, and requires less maintenance than boxwood. HAIR OIL Although the oil step is not essential, it is a welcome addition to the reverse brushing technique. Yasuko Kawamura uses camelia oil, also known as Tsubaki oil, which is an oil used in hair and skincare in Japan. When used in haircare, it creates soft, beautiful, manageable hair. If you cannot get hold of camelia oil, then use an oil that has great haircare benefits such coconut, avocado or olive. You can also add a drop of essential oil that also has great haircare benefits such as rosemary or lavender. Remember that you are not creating a hair mask treatment so you don't need a lot of oil. One to two drops of oil in the palm of your hand (depending on the length of your hair) and then rubbed into the tips of the hairbrush bristles is all you need. You can skip the oil step altogether if you worry that it will make your hair too oily, or maybe you can use the oil as and when you want to, if you don't want to use it every day. THE TECHNIQUE It couldn't be simpler! Tip your head and flip your hair forward. Remember that your hair must be completely dry to carry out this method as it's never advisable to brush wet or damp hair. Start brushing from the base of your head all the way down to the tips of your hair. You can do this one hundred times OR... you can brush for fifty strokes before flipping your head and hair back, and then brushing the regular way for another fifty strokes. A hundred strokes may sound like you'll be there for an hour but you'll you'll have completed this technique in minutes! THINGS TO NOTE Your hair might become quite greasy very quickly even though you're using the bare minimum amount of oil. This will mean washing your hair a lot more frequently which could result in dry hair. Either skip the oil step completely, or just incorporate the oil every so often. It might not be so comfortable for people who have issues with their neck, back or shoulders. This is one of the reasons why Yasuko suggested brushing fifty strokes each way. If you notice any damage to your hair, it's best to stop and switch to a more suitable hair-improvement method. It might be necessary to take a break every so often (perhaps a three or four days every two weeks) to get better results. Are you a curly-haired girl or guy and wondering if this method will work for you? Check out Angel's post to find out more! Many thanks to Yasuko Kawamura for bring the reverse hair-brushing technique to our attention. We may never have heard of it if it hadn't been for her. We had a great time testing it out. You can find out the results in the following post but the fact that we're going to carry on with the reverse hair brushing tells you everything you need to know! And thanks to the lovely Eri for providing information which contributed to this post. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire