Tag Archives: Acne

Do you have Autoimmune Issues

Dr Axe Leaky Gut

Do You Have
Autoimmune Issues?

Or suffer with leaky gut syndrome?
What are the signs that you
could be developing these problems?

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Do You Have an ‘autoimmune problem’? There’s been a lot of talk lately regarding ‘autoimmune’ problems and what it’s all about. What does it mean to you?

Normally, the body should be able to fight against anything foreign that threatens the well-being or health of tissues and cells. This is regarded as the immune response which protects the body from harm. Autoimmune disease is when the body fails to differentiate between what is ok for the body and part of ‘self’ and what is not ok for the body and ‘non-self’.

The result of an autoimmune disease is that the body becomes in danger of being overcome by invaders, oxidants or diseases which it would otherwise fight against.  It can destroy body tissues and cells, affecting and changing the functionality of the organs. There is also a higher risk of getting bacterial infections when the autoimmune system is weak.

Did you know that 70% of your immune system is found in your ‘GALT’ – gut associated lymphoid tissues?

Your digestive system can become rather sluggish, clogged and unable to process what has been consumed without requiring additional assistance. What your body once considered ‘good foods’ is no longer recognised, where these become difficult to eliminate without other issues coming to the surface.

Autoimmune disease symptoms can often go undetected for a long time, where the conditions like Leaky Gut Syndrome develop without one realising anything is wrong.  (Note: Leaky Gut syndrome has been given the medical term – Intestinal Permeability”)

Diagnosing the conditions can also be just as frustrating.  Sometimes the process for receiving an official autoimmune diagnosis can take years of going to various doctors for different types of tests Often these tests will only touch the surface of what the culprit might be because the symptoms of these Autoimmune conditions can be so vague and contrasting.
What do you look for when trying to figure out if you’re suffering with Autoimmune disease symptoms?

Medical journals ‘British Medical Journal and International Journal of Gastroenterology’ ‘ have both suggested that problems with a Leaky Gut are causing a vast number of autoimmune diseases. These include conditions like ‘lupus, allergies, depression, eczema, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis amongst others. The rate of chronic health conditions rose in children by nearly 15% between 1994 and 2006 according to the Journal of American Medical Association where conditions like obesity, asthma, learning and behavioural problems had the largest growth during that time. Based on blood tests performed, it seems that youngsters are also five times more likely to have celiac disease symptoms as compared to their peers from the 1950s.

Normally, the gut would have lots of good bacteria like ‘Bacteroides fragilis’ which helps the immune system stay in balance like a referee would. Its function together with the ‘microbiome’is to keep the pro vs anti-inflammatory functions in order, restoring it when it goes off kilter. Testing and research have found the bacteria has become endangered and therefore has not been functioning as it once did.

Whilst this is a scary concept, it also means that Medical teams are working to better understand what’s happening, and how to ultimately improve autoimmune conditions. It will help understand why some people get really ill whilst others suffer less. The aim is to improve the longevity of our health but it will require healing the gut first.

Gallery: Image of Healthy Living flowchart, Renew Balm & Just Soothing, Wellness Positive thinking, Smoothie.

Autoimmune conditions can be quite disheartening and stressful, especially if you are unable to pinpoint what’s wrong with your body and gut. But rest assured, there are ways of finding out and putting order back into the current stressful situation. Start by being kind to yourself and accepting that something you’re having is no longer in agreement with your body.  This is hard to do, especially if you are not ready.  But once you accept that your body needs a change, it will be the beginning to finding the culprit of your well-being.

What can we do to help get to the bottom of this? If you have any of these common symptoms, hopefully they are not that serious and will go away with time. However,  if they are persistent, please get yourself checked out. You might think that leaky gut only affects the digestive system, but the truth is, it can affect the body is so many other ways.

The main organs, tissues that are affected by autoimmune diseases are:
• Skin – with symptoms like Rashes, red bumps on facial skin or red flaking skin. Other skin concerns are Acne, Rosacea, Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis;
• Digestive tract upsets – Stomach cramps, Gas or bloated stomach, Diarrhea or constipation, may indicate irritable bowel disease;
• Brain – Anxiety, Stress, Headaches, Brain Fog, Fatigue or hyperactivity, feeling weird, tired or even exhausted;
• Red blood & blood vessels;
• The Glands – affecting organs like the Pancreas for Type 1 Diabetes; the Thyroid, where underactivity causes Hashimoto’s disease or overactivity causes Graves’ disease. These activities usually result in Weight loss or gains;
• Connective Tissue – with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus;
• Muscles & Joints – with symptoms like Rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia symptoms, giving pain, weakness, stiffness or other discomfort;
• Other symptoms include Attention Deficit problems, Asthma, Dry mouth, frequent colds, allergies, Feeling depressed.

That’s quite a lot to consider for Autoimmune problems, and if you’re experiencing any of these, you are not alone. Start with getting additional help – if you need to get certain tests done, whether they are blood or excrement tests, have them done by the right specialists. This will allow the doctors and specialists to check for various imbalances.

In summary, Intestinal Permeability or leaky gut syndrome begins with inflammation in the gut and intestines, where it progresses to eventually preventing nutrients being absorbed or the sufferer becomes sensitive to foods or chemicals eaten. The autoimmune disease syndrome can affect all parts of the body, including:
• Joints, muscles, adrenal glands, Digestive tract functionality, the brain, skin, mouth, lungs, sinus & thyroids.
• If you have concerns about autoimmune disorders, start by removing foods and factors that can damage the gut;
• Replace them with dirty foods, healing foods as well as taking specific supplements and probiotics to help rebalance the gut.
• And remember that autoimmune disorders and leaky gut syndrome are not a ‘one fix fits all’ scenario.
• What works for one person and their family may not necessarily work for another.
• You can also choose from the Essentially Lili Help Skin Assistance Range of Products to bring relief whilst you are undergoing treatments and finding the culprit.
• Please remember not to the medications if you have been given them, but seek medical advice.  Resolving this is not as simple as taking supplements and Probiotics.

Ideally, removing foods that can cause damage to the gut is necessary. Replace these with foods that help heal, repair and re-balance with Probiotics and supplements. I will write more about dirty foods, microbiome, foods that heal and Probiotics in the next Blog.

Begin a new page – seek alternative methods if you don’t want to take medications as there are plenty of new options. Whether these options are through the Nutritionist, Specialist, Acupressure, Reflexology, Herbal teas & medicines, Homeopathy pills as well as Conventional medication.

Your goal should be to find a solution that gives you well-being to your Mind, Body and Spirit a Holistic balance of all these.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

  • Did you find you have an autoimmune disorder and what did you do to resolve it?<l/i>
  • Have you heard about ‘eating dirty’, healthy foods and probiotics for leaky gut syndrome?
  • Feel free to comment and share your personal stories below.

    About Lili & Essentially Lili

    My Health Studies include from 2016-2019 Diplomas in Aromatherapy, Holistic Skincare Products, Clinical Nutrition, Stress Management, Reflexology, Holistic Pain Management. I’m a Member of International College of Holistic Medicine. I’m currently studying Clinical Nutrition for Over 50s.

    My aim is to help you get the results you want as I have already been on that hard journey to overcome the autoimmune disorder. If you wish to know more about Clinical Nutrition and how to kick start your health, book a private Consultation. Please send an email to info@essentiallylili.com should you need further assistance.  At Essentially Lili, the products made are all using 100% Natural Ingredients.  See the wide variety of Products available on the webpage.

    Should you need help in deciding, start by reading the Reviews & Testimonials about other Customers who have enjoyed using the products.  We have had some amazing Before & After results from Clients using the All-Natural Skincare products.  Please don’t forget to write your comments and reviews on our pages to share the love with others.

    See the Blog Library for previous writings about Alopecia Areata, Face Mapping, Dry Skin in Winter, Raiding Your Fridge, Keratosis Pilaris Tips, Anguish of Acne/Rosacea, How to deal with Cystic Acne & Understanding Your Body. Your feedback allows us to improve the content and information provided and products made.

    We look forward to hearing from you, With Love Essentially Lili x

The Anguish of Rosacea with Acne

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The Anguish of
Rosacea with Acne

And trying to find
a calming solution.

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Recently, I was contacted by women & men of varying ages to help them with Rosacea.

According to Wikipedia, ‘Rosacea is a long term skin condition which affects mainly the face.
The effects are on the nose, cheeks, forehead, and chin, usually showing redness, with pimples and swelling, that have small superficial dilated blood vessels.
The cause of Rosacea is unknown, though the risk factors are believed to be linked with family history. The signs of Rosacea can get worse when exposed to heat or cold, exercise, sunlight, spicy foods, alcohol, psychological stress, or during menopause and with the use of steroid/cortisone creams.
These steroid creams include metronidazole, doxycycline, tetracycline, brimonidine, ivermectin, isotretinoin.
Sunscreen is recommended, though we should all be using sunblock for our skin, irrespectively.
Often patients endure dermabrasion or laser surgery.’

When I have seen someone with Rosacea, it looks extremely irritated, dry, and aggravated. Those from far who have contacted me have said this condition makes them feel like others are staring at them, or that it’s very hot and irritating, that the medicated products are not working, and extremely depressing, where the woman didn’t want to leave her home anymore.

I just want to encourage you that you are not alone. There have been others that suffered the same condition and have been able to find a solution.

Part of it is being aware of what your body is telling you to avoid.
More and more people are unable to eat the kinds of foods they ate in their younger years, whether it be simple things like Pepper, Chillies, and spices.

A few tips:
• Don’t be afraid to control or give up certain foods whilst your body re-balances itself.
• Try to find alternatives to the things you loved having.
• Make sure you maintain a skincare routine that is as natural as possible. Often the products available are either suppress the conditions, or they are too harsh as they strip the necessary natural oils from our skin’s reserves. When this happens, your body will make more oils to replenish what has been lost, creating an ongoing cycle. We remove the oils, the body makes it again, we remove them and so on.
• Make sure you also drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Be realistic about the results you are looking for. Normally I ask how long someone has had the condition – and for every year, you should give the skin 1 month to repair and re-balance.
Whilst the results often happen quickly, the time taken to repair years of damage is usually much longer. The reality is that if you have had a long-term skin condition, it will need time to repair, recover and to give you that glow back

If you are suffering with Rosacea and would like personal assistance, please book a Consult Therapist session.

Gallery:  Before & After testimonials from clients;  Vitamin Rich Face Balms to help with Acne/Rosacea; Cleansing products. 

I would always recommend cleansing your skin at night time, to ensure that the healing process commences. You can choose between the Cypress Cleansing Balm which is made with Beeswax, Butters and Essential Oils, or the Sunflower Cleanser which is oil-based and contains Lemon & Ylang Ylang essential oils.

The other products made for Rosacea with Acne are Vitamin Rich Mens Face Balm and Vitamin Rich Womens Face Balm. Don’t let yourself endure more anguish with your skin due to irritation or damage. If it’s just Acne that needs treating, Evanesce Balm with Magic Serum for those stubborn areas. For others who only have Rosacea, Nourishing Face Balm with the Frankincense Face Serum has been effective. Check out the variety of Help Skin Assistance products available on the webpage.

The best part is when someone writes me back with photos to say that their skin has changed drastically. You can read more about these on ‘Feedback, Reviews & Testimonials’.
These are Your words expressing how you feel about Your skin and the products you have been using.I really love these stories and testimonials and I can only say ‘Thank you for sharing these with us’!!
If you wish to be included on the Testimonial page, please send me a picture of yourself, preferably without makeup, and a blurb about your version of happy.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

  • Has Rosacea made you feel like this?
  • What kinds of products have you used to help combat it?
  • Was yours related to the foods you ate or just a change in your body’s cycle?
  • Did it make you feel embarrassed and worried about what people would say about you?
  • Did you also suffer from Acne on the area that was irritated?
  • Have you tried the Dermabrasion or laser therapies?

You can send me a private message if you don’t want to answer on this blog.

My Health Studies include from 2016-2019 Diplomas in Aromatherapy, Holistic Skincare Products, Clinical Nutrition, Stress Management, Reflexology, Holistic Pain Management. I’m a Member of International College of Holistic Medicine. I’m currently studying Clinical Nutrition for Over 50s.

My aim is to help you get the results you want as I have already been on that hard journey to overcome the autoimmune disorder. If you wish to know more about Clinical Nutrition and how to kick start your health, book a private Consultation. Please send an email to info@essentiallylili.com
should you need further assistance.  At Essentially Lili, the products made are all using 100% Natural Ingredients.  See the wide variety of Products available on the webpage.

See the Blog Library for previous writings about Dry Skin in Winter, Raiding Your Fridge, Anguish of Acne/Rosacea, How to deal with Cystic Acne & Understanding Your Body.

Your feedback allows us to improve the content and information provided and products made.  We look forward to hearing from you, With Love Essentially Lili x

Summer Time & Sun Protection

Summer Time - Sun Protection

Summer Time &
Sun Protection

Get your fill of Vitamin D,
rest & recharge your energy levels!

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We all love the summertime – well most of us do!It gives us a chance to chill, relax, spend time with our family and friends, and change our daily scenery.

Holiday destinations whether near or far can assist us in feeling revitalized. I particularly love seeing where my friends go to for their vacations as it gives me something to add to my bucket list of places to see.

During the change of weather, some of my customers write to me to ask about what sunscreen products to use and whether or not I make any. For strict legislative reasons, I don’t make certain products to sell, one of which includes sunscreen.
Though over the years, I found it difficult to find sunscreen products that wouldn’t irritate my super sensitive skin.

Australia is famous for being a ‘Slip Slop Slap’ culture when it comes to the outdoors – Slip on the T-shirt, Slop on the sunscreen and Slap on a hat. Even Aussie kids at school cannot go outside in the playgrounds without wearing a hat to protect themselves from the sunshine.

During our jet-skiing days with my siblings in Melbourne, Australia, we spent most of our days and weekends out in the sunshine having a blast.  Besides needing to keep hydrated drinking plenty of water, we had to protect our skin at the beaches and lakes for long periods of time. We wore our wetsuits & our caps but sunscreen had to be applied and reapplied especially after hours of being in the water & the sun.

One time I tried using the Cricketer’s famous ‘White Zinc’ on my face across the nose and cheeks.
‘Oh-My-God’ what a disaster trying to get off my face!

I had to cleanse and scrape at the end of the day and it still wouldn’t come off. The frustration of looking like a tomato face from both the sunshine AND the remains of White Zinc was so Urgh! Then there’s using Sun Creams which I found so rich on my skin, that they clogged my pores and caused me to break out with acne spots.

One day I tried something else.  The discovery of Sunblock in the form of a stick was the best thing ever for someone like me. Of course, once I started using this, I stocked up big time and always carried it with me. What I found with Sunblock is that I could reapply it when needed, carry it in my bag all the time, and not worry about clogging my skin.

For those that tend to break out in acne during the summer, Sunblock is definitely a protection treatment for your skin. It keeps your skin hydrated and protected without overfilling your reserves with excess ingredients.

The other annoyance of the summertime are bugs, insects & mozzies which like to feast on our yummy sweet skin. And if you’re sweet like my family, then the mozzies will be hiding and biting whilst we sleep. For this, I made an All Natural Mozz-Off which contains ingredients like Lemon Lime, Eucalyptus Essential Oils that are great for our skin but not what bugs and mozzies like to smell. It was especially requested for a Customer’s gorgeous wedding which was held in a garden and the ‘Mosquitos were NOT invited’.Now I carry a small bottle of the concoction in my bag and apply on the skin to avoid being bothered by bugs!!

As the Sun draws the moisture from our skin, we need to stay protected and hydrated throughout the day. Preferably using sunscreen, sunblock for our faces, shade, a decent hat and drinking plenty of water.
This means that our after-sun care becomes just as important as protecting our skin during the day.

Start by making sure you cleanse your skin with a gentle product that replenishes and restores, rather than draw out more natural oils from within. Remember water and natural oils that are stored in our skin have been slowly evaporating from our skin whilst being outside in the heat. Our Cypress Cleansing Balm is made with Beeswax, Butters and Essential Oils.It makes your skin feel like it’s been re-boosted from within as the ingredients replenish your natural reserves.The gentle removal process allows for exfoliation of the skin even though the reserves have been filled up again. I just love this concept of treating without damaging your delicate skin.

For kids, I made the skin boosting Natural Baby Moisturising Oil which allows their skin to be rehydrated from face to feet. The ingredients chosen are soft and delicate for youngsters up to 10+ years of age and includes Cocoa Butter, Calendula, Apricot Kernel together with Lavender and Roman Chamomile essential oils. I love using this on my kids as it protects & replenishes their skin, especially after spending hours basking in the sun like lizards!

For Adults that suffer from prickly heat or fungal infections, I have other products that help calm and restore the skin.
Depending on where the condition is, Nourishing Face Balm or Renew Balm works a treat assisting with the heat rash and fungal infections, amongst other conditions like Eczema.

For those that have been ‘kissed by the sun’, there’s Sun Kissed Balm which helps with re-balancing this discolouration of the skin. (Though it does not remove freckles!)  One of the key ingredients in this range is the Kukui Nut Oil which is rich in essential fatty acids linoleic and linolenic, Vitamins C, D and E to act as a natural preservative. The discontinued Sun Kissed Serum contains both Tamanu and Kukui Nut Oils for double the benefits.

For the body, we have 2 products that just melt with your body’s temperature when on the skin. The Mint Body Butter is what my husband describes as ‘Aero Bar’ for his body and always asks me to make bucket loads for him .
Unfortunately this is not suitable for ‘Expecting & Nursing Mums’ so for you, we have Geranium Hands & Body Butter. Both are applied the same way and benefit the skin without needing to apply very much!

In the previous blogs, Favourite Vegetable Oils , I shared about a whole lot of oils that I like to use. Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annuus) absorbs very quickly into the skin and leaves little residue.It has highly concentrated levels of Vitamins A, B, D, and E, together with insulin, lecithin, and minerals. Whilst great for the skin, it has added UV Protection qualities in addition to the unsaturated essential fatty acids contained.

When I write a blend recipe to make for my customers, I always try to pick ingredients with the best benefits to help speed up the recovery, rejuvenation, repairing and replenishing process.When the products work a treat for you, please share with others so that they too can benefit as you have! I love hearing these stories as it makes me love doing this even more.

Gallery: Mozz-Off, Sun Kissed Range, Beach Summer Fun, Mosquitos Not Invited, Summer Sunblocks.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

Have you had problems with your sunscreen or are you one of the ‘lucky’ ones that can use anything?
What is your favourite product for protecting your skin?

Should you wish to contact us for more information about our All-Natural Products, please send me an email info@essentiallylili.com

You can read more About Lili here, see the range of Products on offer at Shop Categories or refer to our Blog Library for more topics covered. Kind Regards Lili @ Essentially Lili

Favourite Vegetable Oils

Sunflowers in Zurich

Favourite Vegetable Oils

Sunflower is amongst the richest Carrier Oils,
loaded with benefits, which allow
for direct & safe application of
Essential Oils without causing irritations.

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The Vegetable Oils used for Product making are not the kind you would normally buy at the Supermarket. Those in the stores are exposed to direct Sunlight, shop lighting, and heating which can cause the oils to degrade. Extra Virgin Oil is normally stored in dark glass bottles, so taking this from the back of the row is a good idea!

As our bodies’ cell walls and membranes contain quite a lot of fats and oils, it makes sense for us to use nutritious oils in our foods and skincare products. These will help us maintain the fluidity of our cells.

Did you know that using oils as a cleanser actually helps your skin?The oil softens any sebum which
may be blocking the pores, allowing these to be removed. For this, I have added Sunflower Cleanser to the range of products.

There are plenty of Vegetable Oils to choose from, which vary in colour, natural fragrance, and price. Familiar oils include Apricot Kernel, Sweet Almond, and Coconut. These are found in many skincare products that help repair and calm sensitive skin.

The following Vegetable Oils are some that I use in the Essentially Lili range because I love what they do for the skin:

Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annuus) has very little scent compared to another vegetable/carrier oils, and absorbs easily into the skin, leaving very little residue. Sunflower Oil has high concentrates of Vitamins A, B, D, and E, as well as minerals, lecithin, insulin. It is a great product for the skin, adding UV protection qualities together with the unsaturated essential fatty acids. Sunflower is amongst the ingredients found in Sun Kissed Serum to help with the effects of the sun for those that have been ‘kissed’.

Wheatgerm Oil (Triticum sativum) is obtained from the germ of the wheat. It is extremely high content in Vitamin E which is a natural antioxidant and preservative, together with essential fatty acids, Vitamins A, B & D. Wheatgerm helps promote circulation and increase blood flow, which is great for damaged or scarred skin. It helps form new cells to improve the appearance of the skin and to help repair sun damage to the skin.

Argan (Argania Spinosa) originates from Southern Morocco which makes this product quite expensive.It is yellow in colour and has a lot more Vitamin E (Tocopherol) than olive oil. It is resistant to oxidation with good free radical scavengers.It’s great for damaged and mature skin as it assists the restructuring of the cells.

Avocado (Persea Gratissima) contains essential fatty acids that our body needs but cannot produce. This helps create and rebuild new cells, contain omega-3, omega-6 fatty acids, Linoleic Acid (LA), Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA). So if this is what Avocado does for our bodies from the inside, the outside
is going to love it just as much.

Avocado originally came from Central America, but now is grown around the world.It is rich in Vitamins A, B1, B2, D, E, and Beta carotene. Classified as a monosaturated oil, Avocado is best suited for dry skin conditions in topical applications. It should be green in colour if unadulterated and it comes from the flesh of the fruit. It is great for rehydrating, regenerating and helping the elasticity of the skin.With other carrier oils, Avocado enriches the vitamin and protein content.

Calendula (Calendula Officinalis) has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes wound healing.It is used in sun and after-sun products, as well as to help children with nappy rashes, grazes, and Mums who are nursing.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) comes from the seeds of the plants which are grown worldwide.It is very rich in Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), a fatty substance used for skin conditions like Eczema. Evening Primrose is used in various skin products, creams, bath oils, and hair conditioners as it helps the skin’s elasticity and therefore repairing damaged, dry and aging skin. Taking supplements can also be used to help calm skin conditions from within.

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is actually a liquid wax. Jojoba resembles the sebum of the skin very closely and is naturally rich in Vitamin E.This helps promotes the glow in our complexions, as this oil is very light and is absorbed quickly.

Wheatgerm is found in our Vitamin Rich Range to help with skin that has Acne / Rosacea, has been irritated, damaged, and needs some love and affection. The Vitamin Rich Mens Face Balm and Vitamin Rich Womens Face Balm and Evanesce Balm for those that have Acne which needs treatment.

Vitamin E (Tocopherol Acetate) is a natural preservative and a strong antioxidant. It is used in various skincare products such as acne, lip balms, anti-wrinkle, cleansers, and peels for sensitive skin.

What I find amazing is how much better these Vegetable Oils have. Their wonderful properties boost our skin’s reserves with goodness and help maintain the elasticity whilst promoting cell regeneration. Combined with the Essential Oils, there really is no need to include other unnatural ingredients to our blends.In future blogs, I can share more information about how wonderful these Vegetable Oils are, in the quest of choosing the best ingredients for making the Essentially Lili Skincare products. If there are any Oils that you would like me to include, please let me know.

Check out the Gallery of Pictures – includes Giant Sunflower, Vitamin Rich Womens Face Balm, Diamond Era Serum, Avocado & Samples of Liquid Gold.

BLOG PARTICIPATION:

Which of the Vegetable Oils mentioned above surprised you the most?
What is your favourite and why?
What Vegetable oils would you like me to share about?
Some of the other oils I use in Essentially Lili Products include Baobab, Tamanu, Castor or Macadamia

If I could make you Massage oil, what would you want it to be made of?
And which Essential Oils would you like as the fragrance? I would love to hear your ideas!

Should you wish to Contact us for more information about our All Natural Products, please send me an email info@essentiallylili.com

You can read more About Lili here, see the range of Products on offer at Shop Categories or refer to our Blog Library for more topics covered. Kind Regards Lili @ Essentially Lili