We've Been Growing Our Own Vegetables

Last year I joined my local community growing project to grow our own vegetables. Natural and organic as it comes. And the children loved it. We grew runner beans, some corn, tomatoes, peppers and Courgettes which all came in handy in the cooking pot. And the satisfaction that we grew it our selves was rewarding and priceless, especially for the whole family.

We enjoyed the community scheme and met very friendly , keen family growers and decided to grow more this year. So, we have collected our seeds and this year, we are growing more tomatoes, spinach, some more beans and vegetables. I will keep you informed of how we get on. Here's to a community growing spirit wherever you are . For more information about our community garden project visit  www.outofmyshed.co.uk

Marie Claire Magazine: Hot List

Oooh guess what! forgot to mention, that our Sensual Body Oil is featured in the Marie Claire Magazine Hot List. April Edition

This Summer Let Your Skin Breath...

With the weather getting sunnier and hotter, the skin will sweat  more and get clogged up quickly.

Did you know that, pilling on makeup will also get the skin clogged up. And the more you cover up the more the skin is straved of fresh air and then a vicious circle of dependency on covering up occurs- a kind of no you can't be seen without make up on kind of regime.

To keep your skin clean and refreshed, always cleanse and moisturise daily no matter how late it is. Make sure you use a deep cleansing facial scrub once a week and don't go to bed with your make-up on or you will clog up your skin. Lastly and most importantly, wear sun protection if you are out in the sun. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water when you are out and about. Enjoy the lovely sunshine!


Selected products from our WuChi  by Maks range to help keep your skin Squiky clean...

WuChi by Maks Almond face scrub is a gentle,creamy  scrub that will help refine the skin texture and suitable for all skin types. It contains a blend of essential oils of french Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Rosewood in moisturising, nourishing, yet gentle exfoliating Almond seed meal to remove dull, dead skin cells for a healthy radiant skin.
view this product on our website.

Words from our happy customers...
" This product (Almond Face Scrub)  has a wonderful smooth texture to it... not heavy grains.my young tennage daughter has started to use it it's that mild. Thanks" Kirstene Dixon

WuChi by Maks Organic Muslin Face Cloth helps to gently exfoliate and deep cleanse your skin while boosting circulation at the same time. It can be used daily for effective and regular deep cleansing to boost circulation and slough away dead skin cells. View this product on our website

Your Skin is a Reflection of You, it tells a story.

The skin is the largest and most visible organ of the body. As you age some of your skin cells are not able to replace themselves.


Skin diseases will often be an outer reflection of internal problems and must be treated as such. This is because the skin is responsible for the elimination and excreation of a quarter of the body's waste products so any dysfunction of the skin will stress the other 3 the kidney, lungs and bowels.

The fibres that make the skin stretch become less elastic and you begin to lose some connective tissues called collagen. This makes the skin thinner and less able to repair damage. This is usually when you start to notice the lines and wrinkles and looking for miracle creams to work instant miracles.

Sorry to disappoint you, but, our genes affect how the skin ages, and external factors like ultra violet rays from the sun can result in pigment changes, wrinkles and brown spots. Which is why you should protect the skin from environmental pollution and free radicals. By moisturising daily and following a regular skincare regime that includes, cleansing, toning, moisturising, regular treatment and making sure you use sun protection.

The skin is a reflection of all our life's experiences. A healthy lifestyle is usually reflected in a healthy looking skin. If you understand the skin structure then you will by now know that the skin absorbs absolutely almost 70% of what you put on it and should be looked after properly.

New Year, New You or Old You, With Changes

Welcome to 2011.We've all been there, another new year and very exciting prospects in mind. You promise to be good and suddenly notice all the rates for gym membership and thinking which new exercise gear to buy, running shoes or gym membership with a personal trainer. Dieting, Dvding or wandering around the gym with programme cards. They are simply known as the January Joiners and  as we all know it all wears out  by the spring. Well, how about doing something different this year. So, I thought I should highlight a few simple changes that you can make that will be of benefit to you in the long term if you keep at it diligently.

Think of long term strategies for your health and well being


1. Ditch the Diets
Be true to your self. Ditch the detox diets because your body eliminates it self anyway, ditch the diet books and re- programme you mind in a positive way. Use 2011 to strengthen your will power so that you can get through any mental barriers that make you give up your new year resolution before the year ends.

Have you ever thought why people pledge to lose weight or start a new life in the new year. Surely, the weight gain is not a compilation of food they have eaten in the two weeks of the Christmas holiday. The weight gain is simply as a result of changes you did not make in the whole year and then pledge to loose it all in the new year. Although, I am aware that we all over indulge during the festive season with extra helpings of irresistible food. Even research says, women especially gain up to half a stone during the festive season.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day and the only way you can achieve your aim is by laying one brick at a time with examples like, making small changes daily, cutting out your potion size and keeping active. Think of long lasting management tips for health and well being.

2. Get Active
If you walk for 30-45 mins at least 3 time a week,  you will notice a difference long term. Keep your body hydrated by drinking more water and your skin will look plummer. I don't believe drastic decisions help achieve aims I simply  believe a good mindset and will of mind with carefully  planned achievable and doable goals can be achieved for longer.  Remember if you don't put in the hard work, you will not see any difference. Nobody lost weight by sitting in front of the telly eating pop corn. So go out there and do something. slow and steady one step at a time.

3. Have a Smoothie

Having a smoothie for breakfast or lunch will help you get your five a day. You cant comprehend the benefits of the nutritional benefits  and vitamins you get from the fruits. this is one of the best weight management tips you can incorporate into  to your new year resolution. Making smoothies is easily done all you have to do is buy an affordable smoothie maker and  some fruits  and experiment with healthy drinks.

4. Great Skincare Regime
If you are still deciding what your new years resolution is, make sure great skincare regime is one of them. The skin absorbs up to 70 % of what you put on so make sure to choose a natural organic alternative beauty product. Natural is always best as the ingredient will work as skin food to repair and look after your skin naturally without any harsh chemicals.
 
Products: WuChi by Maks Mini Face Kit


What's your New Year resolution  ?
 I stopped making new year resolutions but only continue from where I have stopped with a positive mindset in everything that we do here at WuChi HQ. Although, I would like to add that I intend to write more and connect with my customers as much as possible because behind every brand there is someone and people (team working hard ) to make sure everyone is happy. Here is to a very successful healthy and very happy New Year to you .

Happy New Year - 2011

A Happy New Year to you all from everyone at WuChi HQ. Wishing you the very best for 2011. Be positive, believe in yourself, believe in your abilities, stay focused and you will achieve in 2011.

WuChi by Maks- Wins Future 100 Award 2010

 The Future 100 Awards, profiles young entrepreneurs who are demonstrating entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture; one which demonstrates a balance between economic, environmental and social goals to achieve ultimate business success.


We had the honour of attending the awards during global entrepreneurship week, hosted by striding out and Natwest at the British Library on the 18th November 2010. "I am honoured and delighted to be named a Future 100 entrepreneur, as it recognises the hard work we do in making our luxurious ethical skincare products.


The Future 100 awards, encourages and rewards extraordinary vision, ethical business practice and social responsibility. They aim to showcase businesses that offer innovative and sustainable solutions to social problems. The Future 100 Awards is organized by Striding Out  a social enterprise which is committed to supporting the development and growth of young and ethical entrepreneurs.
You see the list of this years  Future 100 winners here

WuChi by Maks- on BBC News 24

We were recently contacted by producers of a new BBC news 24 programme called 'Show me the Money'. I was asked to show and demonstrate my expertise in making natural skincare products. And then interviewed about how WuChi by Maks was started, the benefits of  running a business, being an entrepreneur and the challenges of running and growing a company from scratch.

It is one thing when you are working by your self and very different when you have journalist and the camera watching.

Part two was then filmed at the BIPC with other female entrepreneurs to discuss the benefit we derive from a women's networking group. It focused on how we help and empower each other at different stages of  our businesses and the benefits networking with other entrepreneurs brings. The whole experience was fantastic.

Having now watched the BBC feature which was shown yesterday the 31st October, it went really well. It was a wonderful experience it projected what we do and how hard we work at WuChi HQ making our lovely luxurious skincare products.  I  had fun filming the segment  and a lot of work went into the preparation. I feel privileged and blessed to be part of the experience. Thank you to the team.

Making Soaps for Christmas

The thought of making natural soap really does excite me. I love to look at them when they are unmoulded and laid out to cure. What a beautıful sight.  They look very beautiful and glorıous to behold.
There is joy at WuChi HQ when our newly made batch of soaps fınally come into there own, this is the usual 4-6 weeks when the soap are fully saponifıed and you can smell the gorgeous aroma of the scent.
Here at WuChi by Maks, all our soaps are handmade using the traditional cold process method where the naturally produced glycerine is retained to moisturise the skin, resulting in a long lasting creamy bar that lathers.I really do enjoy this process and wıll be sharıng the latest pictures of our newly made soaps.

Let's talk about Hair ..

I was thinking about a beauty topic to write about today , and I happened to glance myself walking past a mirror and thought wow!  how great my hair looks...  and thought why not talk about hair. Which is a womans great past time.

But it wasn't always like this.. I had my days of short, long, weave, natural, braids, dropping , pulling complaining and now very pleased, calm and happiest.
And I thought! yeah, lets talk about hair.

Hair, loss or hair problem can sometime be as a result of hormonal, environmental or changes going on in your body. And sometime hair loss can even be as a result of stress.

Although, when you consult scientific gizmo's it tells you that your hair grows slowly and at least a strand of hair dropping off your hair sometimes is good. So don't panic when you see a few strands fall off in the morning this is absolutely normal. Here are few tips to help keep your hair healthy.

Tips to keep your hair happy and healthy...

Shampoo and condition your hair at least twice a week. Choose conditioners with ingredients that will nourish the hair and scalp. It is advisable to give the hair a break sometimes from braids and cornrows to allow for some fresh air.

Using ingredients like Rosemary as a hair rinse and Olive oil for scalp massage will help keep your hair healthy and strong.

Olive oil is  not only for sprinkles in salads. It is one of natures gift to man for the hair.  Although some seem to think that olive oil belongs only in the kitchen and churh , little did they know that Olive oil existed before Christ, and for all its benefits is still present till today.
Just in-case you don't already know by now, Olive oil is the ultimate hair food. In-fact most hair products contain oliver oil because of the powerful benefits it provides over all for the skin and hair.

• Boil some Rosemary and use the water as a hair rinse this will help if the hair is breaking or with scalp dandruff..
• Use Olive oil to massage weekly on to your scalp to help nourish the hair and help it stay healthy and strong.

  
 
A few things you should know ..

1. Dont panic if your hair starts dropping do something! simply trimming the tips will help  stop breakage, keep it bouncy and healthy.

2. Give your hair a weekly hair rub, on to the scalp. and your scalp and hair will love you.
click here to preview our range of hair care products at WuChi by Maks with ingredients specifically chosen to address you hair care needs. Don't forget to share compliments you get with how healthy your hair looks.

Beauty Smoothie...

If you want to know how healthy glowing skin and smoothies relate, hope it helps to know that,  looking after your skin should be a lifestyle thing.  Doing this will not only help you feel and look great but will help the skin absorb the vital nutrients your body needs to staying beautiful. So, here is something to help you along the way. I tried a lovely home made smoothie and would like to share this with you.

 Beauty Smoothie Recipe:

1/3 spinach
1/3 Watercress
1 banana
5-6 strawberries
2 apples- peeled and cut into small chunks.
2 carrots- cut into small chunks
1/3 lime - squeezed
1/2 cup Semi skimmed milk
If you are allergic to dairy use an alternative  like soya , goats or rice  milk.
Blend everything together until smooth, then pour and enjoy!
Do you know that, beauty, healthy glowing skin and a healthy lifestyle should be practised inside out, because, if you put the right nutrients in to the body, your skin will glow and look healthy on the outside.

I believe what you put into your body is also as important as what you eat. Which means, garbage in, garbage out, good stuff in, lovely healthy skin on the outside.

Try this, add a smoothie to your lifestyle lets say, three days a week and you will definitely see the difference.
Another way of making sure you always have a beauty smoothie top up is to, make the smoothie the night before and keep in the fridge over night. This way you don't run out and don't get too tried or in a rush to make one in the morning.

The smoothie will keep for a maximum of up to 3 days in the fridge. However, aim to drink the beauty smoothie 3 times a week or more.  As well as improving your general well being, smoothies made from fruits and vegetables can have health benefits for the body and skin. Happy blending!

Ebay Discovery -November 2009

We noticed WuChi by Maks looking type products on ebay. Please note these are fake products and if you want WuChi products please visit our website www.wuchi.co.uk to ensure you are geting our genuine and authentic products because we pride our self on quality and the ethos of our brand.

Please visit WuChi by Maks authorised suppliers because we take pride in selling ultimate genuine quality products that work and guaranteed by us.


This incident has been reported and brought to Ebay management's attention.

For our customes, be rest assured that we have in place genuine batch record of products made and dispatched to inividual adresses and suppliers around the world for traceability.

WuChi by Maks is a registered protected trademark. And any company or individual proclaiming to be WuChi by Maks will be punishable for impersonating the WuChi by Maks brand and will be persecuted by law.

This picture aquired from ebay is not authorised and is not genuine WuChi by Maks brand range.

WuChi by Maks @ You're Beautiful Woman Event

Last weekend  we were at the you're beautiful woman show in Highgate London.
We met a lot of our customers who dropped by to see us. It was nice to meet you and put faces to names and voices over the telephone. We also meet a lot of creative businesses and twitter followers.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by,  it was a pleasure to see you all. We look forward to meeting you again at our other events. Enjoy  your lovely goodies from WuChi by Maks. Visit our facebook page for full album.

Interview with Founder of WuChi by Maks - You Are Your Brand

I was interviewed  after my guest speaking engagement  at the British library and IP centre in May. This was in collaboration with the British Library's green and ethical month.
The feedbacks I received from the talk was absolutely fantastic and very positive. Days after,  I received an email from the lovely Sally Marsh of bonbonbalm.com  who was one of the attendes and this is what she had to say about my  talk- 
" Thanks for a brilliant talk! Just to let you know I have recommended you as a speaker to some other business organizations so you may possibly be contacted about this"  Sally Marsh
Thank you very much Sally. 


Sadly,  the video recording of the talk was lost at the last minute due to battery power. But, Cally Robson of She's Ingenious still performed a miracle over lunch by producing this unplanned video interview.





A little bit of the story of how we started...


Most people feel completely in the dark when it comes to branding a new product. In this interview, Amaka Olateju tells how she now realizes that SHE is key to fronting her luxury, ethically sourced organic skincare products, because her beliefs ARE her brand.

When Amaka Olateju found that none of the prescribed creams worked for her daughter's eczema, she turned to the knowledge handed down by her Nigerian grandmother who used herbs and natural products to produce healing remedies.

She spent more than 4 years creating and testing her own creams and lotions. Those that worked soon became popular among friends and family.

Amaka soon saw the potential for her remedies as a luxury range of natural skincare products, both organic and ethically sourced. She signed up to a business law and marketing degree and booked herself onto skincare manufacturing courses in her holidays. WuChi by Maks was born.

What Amaka didn't realize as she put together her website, was the importance of herself in promoting her business because everything she stands for IS her brand. But it's taken a journey of getting to know herself, and the world of business, to have the confidence to see it.

"You can achieve anything you set your mind to...but be prepared to work hard and know there will be good days and bad days. Establishing a business is like growing a seed...it will take care and constant attention but if you put in the hard work, the Universe makes sure that every step you take draws you closer to where you want to be."Amaka Olateju, Founder, WuChi by Maks

Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party @ WuChi - the after photos

I didn't quite have enough time to put up the lovely pictures from our last champagne and Mingle pamper party on the 12th June before dashing off to Nigeria for two weeks due to a family bereavement.

Thank you to everyone who came and made it a brilliant event. Thank you all for the suppport.

We all had a lovely time. The beauty team made a fantastic impact on making sure we all received a soothing massage in a tranquil, relaxed, atmosphere using the WuChi by Maks range of luxurious body oils. It was bliss and the feed backs very postive.

Here is some of the positive feed backs we received on the day from some of our precious, satisfied, customers...

 Relaxing body oil (lavender)
 " The lavender massage oil smells fabulous the blend of oil is wonderful- The best"
  Helena Konneh
  
Rose rejuvenating Day cream
" The Rose rejuvenating day cream is the best moisturiser i have ever used-it cant be rivalled"
Helena Konneh

 Nourishing night cream
"WuChi by Maks night cream!Wow! this is the most deliciously smooth, creamiest, softest night cream ever. My skin feels bautifully soft and moisturised just a small dab goes a long way"
Jenni McMillan


Almond Face scrub
" This product has a wonderful smooth texture to it... not heavy grains.my young tennage daughter has started to use it it's that mild. Thanks"
Kirstene Dixon

Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party @ WuChi by Maks 12th June 2010- Two more Days to go

Wow!  how time flies. Only  two more days to our Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party. We are putting finishing touches to last minute preparations.  Okay here we go;
Champagne- Check
Glasses -Check
Chocolate fountain- Working


Nail polishes- check- hmm lots of summery colours
Ladies- Check,  lots of confirmations-
Clay Mask- Check
Candles- Check

WuChi Team- working hard

The Boys- Watching football- World cup starts

Look forward to having a good time...

Behind the Scences @ WuChi by Maks - June 2010

Hello from sunny WuChi HQ. We are very excited, getting ready and preparing for two upcoming events in June. We will be at The Camden Green Fair on Sunday the 6th June in Regents Park London. This is a very popular event with life music,band stands and music performances, exhibitions, workshops, fun, and food  with plenty to do and see. This event attracts more than 20,000 visitors .If you do attend do pop by our stand to stock up on luxury goodies. Check out the Camden Green fair website for more information on www.camdengreenfair.org.uk

A week after that I am  very excited to be hosting another one of our popular pamper parties!!!

Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party @ WuChi by Maks 12th June 2010

I am always very excited about our Champagne and Mingle parties. Because of all the luxurious pampering treats available.
This time around our pamper corner specials includes!!

Nail painting corner-
Massage corner-
Facials corner-
DIY corner- to make face mask and sugar polish
10% off orders on the day
Win lucky goody bag worth

Plus luxury nibbles- a glass of champagne,chocolate fountain and exotic fruits to dip. yum yum..




image courtesy web.

Spring Clean your Tootsies (feet)

If like me, once it is spring and the first thing you see or think about is the marks and dust on the windows and the excitement of spring cleaning, then it is time to spurts up and pay attention to your feet too.

Although we know the first thing people see when they look at  you is your face. However, in spring and summer the first thing they will see when you are showing off your flip flops is your feet. We work the feet very hard all day, but unlike our hands and the rest of the body they are often neglected.
Why not give your feet a well deserved treat by getting a pedicure and you don't have to go to a salon to get it done professionally. So here's how to make sure you don't get caught out with roughages and shiny flip flops.


5 DIY Steps to Lovely Tootsies!!!

1.Soak your feet for 10 minutes in a bowl of warm water with bubble bath or foot soak and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Lavender to relax, Eucalyptus to refresh, rose to feel special, or tea tree for smelly feet and antibacterial properties. all essential oils have unique beneficial properties.

2. Clip your toe nails and tidy them up. It is much easier and less stressful to do so at this stage because the toe nails are softened and easier to work with especially if you have hard nails.

3.  Give a good scrub. Use a natural exfoliating foot scrub or pumice stone to give the feet a good rub down. This is to remove any dead and rough skin. Or you can make your self a quick scrub by using sugar and olive oil from your kitchen.

4.Wash the scrub off thoroughly and pat dry. And apply a moisturiser or a foot cream.

5. If you have extremely dry feet, here's a tip . Apply a generous amount of moisturiser to the feet and wrap with cling film for a few hours Or wear cotton socks over night. Then apply your choice of nail polish and nail protector. And you are ready to go

At WuChi by Maks we make foot products that are made with natural ingredients to exfoliate, moisturise, nourish, protect and pamper your feet. With the added benefits of essential oils to uplift and invigorate tired feet. Did you know that a gentle foot scrub is also a therapeutic way to improve circulation in the feet and lower legs. So, look after your tootsies you got only one pair.

Guest Speaking engagement @ the British Library & IP Centre 25th, May 2010

I am very excited to be invited as the guest speaker for She's Ingenious meet up in May at the British Library and IP centre taking place on the 25 May 2010. Where I will share my journey and experience of developing organic and ethical skincare business. Here is a link to book a place on the event .

This event coincides with the British Library Green and Ethical month in May and there are lots of events happening to raise awareness of how consumers and business can be greener and make ethical changes. See the whole programme and book here

About She' Ingenious

The Association for Women with New Product Ideas and Inventions is founded by new product development specialist and personal coach, Cally Robson.

The community represents the growing numbers of women who are coming up with innovative products and services, and using the Web to develop and promote them.
The Association's website is the central hub of the community, run with the aim of providing practical support and guidance, networking, know-how and inspiration to women who are commercializing their innovative product and business ideas across the UK and beyond.  Visit the website to find out more.

As you all know, Rome was not built in a day and every business experience is different. I am delighted and looking forward to meeting everyone to share with you the good the bad and ugly.  

Post Card from Antwerp

As they say all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. So what we did at WuChi HQ after a big project was to pack our case and retire for some fresh air in a calmer atmosphere. We spent a few days in Brussels and then unto our loveliest and final destination - Antwerp in Belgium.  The kids loved it and so did we.

I personally feel in love with the old traditional bikes in Antwerp and the fact that people were not in such a haste as we always are here in London. Sometimes, going to calmer environments help you appreciate and enjoy life more. We walked, we relaxed, we shopped, we laughed and we eat.

One of my favourite places there was the champagne and snail soup stall served with a glass of white wine in the old market a few walks away from the buzzing shopping street in city central. Plus the sun was just right and we really had a great time. I will definitely go back even if it is just for the snail soup. I will try and blog more about what we are up to behind the scenes at WuChi because we are not all about lotions and potions we do love our food and some fresh air and a bit of a chat too.
Glad to have made it back to London safely  due to the travel delays caused by the Volcanic Ash.