Before the Season of "Everything Pumpkin" - Take time to Savor the Apple

I do adore pumpkins. Soon enough it will be the Season of Everything Pumpkin. But for me, September is the season of the apple.


Apples are the glorious gifts of late summer and early fall. There are so many varieties to choose from, and in New Jersey we have a plethora of pick your own farms. Some apples, like Cortlands, are on the sweeter side. Empires are great for eating raw and have a bit of tartness. Fuji's are wonderfully sweet and last a very long time. Granny Smiths are lovely if you prefer the tartness of apples. Jonathans are great for making applesauce, but not for baking because the mush. Yorks are great for baking. I could go on and on, since there are over 100 types of apples grown for commercial use. Actually, there are over 7,000 types of apples grown world wide, but that would take us rather far afield.

There is so much that apples give us. Not just for eating and cooling. On these first cool nights as summer fades to autumn, there is nothing like some warmed apple cider with a cinnamon stick in it. Around here, Delicious Orchards has the best cider. A great place for pick your own apples is Terhune Orchards. They also make some yummy apple wine. And of course there are the amazing benefits of apple cider vinegar.  We use it in many of our products because it is so good for you on the inside and on the out. Ooh - and I've recently discovered the fun of hard cider, but that again is another story.

Apples are packed with nutrition and fiber. They contain lots of vitamins like A, B, and C. They have antioxidant components, quercetin, collagen, and elastic which make then wonderful for your skin, boost your energy, and aid in digestion.

Applying apples to your outsides might seem strange - but your skin will certainly appreciate it. Here are a few quick tops to try:

• Take a nice fresh apple and run it through the blender with just a little water or green tea. Take that fabulous smelling mush and rub it in to your skin after a hot day. Rinse with cool water and you'll be washing away the heat and damage you've imposed on your face.
• Kick the apple treatment up a little by blending apple mush with honey and make yourself a skin loving face mask. It will brighten and soften your skin.
• Use a little apple mush or gently run a slice of apple under your eyes to help alleviate those dark circles. 
• After shampooing, pour some apple juice through your hair and then rinse. It will help with dandruff and add some nice shine.
• The pectin and tannin in apples helps soothe bug bites. Rub a piece of apple on a bite or apply a little mush.

Of course the best thing you can do with an apple, especially fresh and in season, is eat one a day. It may help keep the doctor away, and it will definitely taste great and make you happy.

Let Your Inner Spirit Out - It's As Young as You Feel Day

Welcome to As Young As You Feel Day!

Let's face it, there are days when that statement means you're about 112. But there are other days... oh, those wonderful other days.

Those are the days when you're tempted to do a cartwheel. It's the day when you want to pull out that favorite peasant top, or dig out that jean jacket and wear it in public. The days that you want to disco or dance your little heart out. The days your heart and spirit just zoom. Today it that day.

Go do those things that make you feel young! It will make your spirit soar!

Protect That Fabulous Face

Winter is upon us - at least in a good portion of the country. Today there's a wonderfully fluffy snow storm going on. Looks so pretty, feels so icy when heading out to shovel or play. We all know the drill - bundle up, dress in layers, keep your hands and feet dry. If we're smart, we remember the lip balm to protect our delicate lips from moisture loss. Do we remember, though, to change up our face and skin moisturizers?


Here's a few tips to keep your skin safe and glowing throughout the winter:

• Keep it dry. Freezing temperatures will ice up moisture on your face, damaging and drying your skin. 
• But keep it moist...urized. Wear a moisturizer that's slightly heavier than you might normally, especially if you're going to be outside for any extended period of time. This will provide a buffer against the wind and cold. Our lotion bars are perfect for this kind of weather. They might be too heavy for your face, though. Try the Jazzy Lavender Body Butter. Thick, but whippy and refreshing. Whatever your choice, cover up before you go out. Then clean and remoisturize when you come in,
• When you wash your skin, use warm water, not hot. Hot water will actually dry your skin. I know, hot sounds lovely, but it will really damage more than help.
• Remember to exfoliate. You can use our sugar scrubs for your body, and our Honey Pumpkin Face Mask is wonderful for your face. It removes dead skin cells and opens up your skin to accepting good moisture.

Don't be afraid to get out there and ski, play or just walk the dog. But do it right and it will be easy to slip right into spring.

You've got Fruit on Your Face

Fresh fruit is fabulous. It's one of the reasons I can't wait for spring and summer. Strawberries, peaches, apples, cherries, watermelon, bananas - I'm starting to drool a little. Most of these fruits are available year round now, but local and fresh if at all possible, is the best.

Not only is fruit yummy and good for your insides, many fruits are good for your skin on the outside as well. Here of some of my favorite face fruits.

Whenever I'm cutting these up, I don't wash the juice off my hands - I just rub it on my face. Instant facial! Not only do they make your face feel fabulous, you smell fantastic too.

Pineapple - We don't grow pineapples here in NJ, but I still love them and will pick them up occasionally from the market. Pineapples contain bromelain and alpha-hydroxy acid. These help reduce wrinkles and remove dead skin cells, helping to give skin a smoother and gentle glow. They are also high in Vitamin C and A which are anti-oxidant free radical fighters. I like to just rub the juice on my face, let it dry a bit, and then rinse with cool water. Makes my skin feel all tingly and just a little tighter. And I love the way it smells!

Great face fruits.

Strawberry - Strawberries can help reduce acne and oily skin, reduce puffiness under your eyes, and remove dead skin cells. They also contain alpha-hydroxy acid and Vitamin C. They also contain ellagic acid, which help protect the skin from UV rays.  Use in the same way as pineapple, or just cut a berry in half and rub it on your face. Just divine. But do be cautious if you have allergies.

Banana - Banana's have lots of Vitamin C and soothing properties for worn skin. They reduce skin inflammation. Mash up a nicely ripe banana and put into your face. Let sit a bit and then wipe off gently and rinse. Sometimes I'll just rub the inside of the banana peel on spots on my arms or skin that are really dry. I'll also use it to rub on my teeth to help clean and whiten them. 

Watermelon - Have you ever gotten cool, refreshing watermelon all over your face when you're eating it on a hot summer day? Then you rinse it off and your face feels wonderful! That's because watermelon is another antioxidant moisturizer that is a fruity fabulous face treatment. It contains Vitamins C, A and B6. It will help tighten up your pores and refresh your skin.

Next time you're looking for a quick skin pick me up, just look to your fridge and get some fruit on your face.

Lilacs and More for Mom

My lilacs are still bursting forth with fragrance and cheerfulness! My roses are starting to bloom. Spring is springing up everywhere. With Mothers Day coming up quickly, we thought we'd celebrate with some wonderful specials - for you and your mom!


We're big fans of lilacs. And we've created a wonderful linen and air spray that truly captures that light, uplifting scent of spring without smelling soapy. Our Lilac Fairy Ceo Broingloid (Dream Mist) is on sale now through Mothers Day - $2.00 off the regular price!

But there's more...


Order one of our Gift Sets and you'll receive free shipping PLUS a free 4oz Lilac Fair Dream mist! Choose our Méla Tea Set which includes one each of our fabulous all natural, herbal tea bag packs. You can use each tea bag 2 or 3 times - so this is a real value as well as a wonderful mini-spa treat. Or choose our Gardeners Gift Pack with all the things you need for outdoor care.

You can also build your own gift set and receive free shipping and a free gift. Go to our website and select the items you'd like to include in your gift. During check out, enter Chairde Special in the comments area. We'll create a gift basket of those items and get them out to you in time for Mothers Day!

The specials will be available until May 9th (to assure delivery in time for Mothers Day).

If you have any questions, you can always email us and we'll be happy to help.

Where do you find the best treasures? In Granny's Attic!!

It's a holiday tradition that sets the mood for the season. Join us this Saturday at

The 31st Annual Granny's Attic 

Saturday, November 19, 2011 

9 am to 4 pm 

Thompson Middle School 

1001 Middletown Lincroft Road, Middletown 

100's of crafts fill the halls, rooms, gym and just about ever nook and cranny of this wonderful event. Bring your holiday shopping list with you. You'll probably be able to finish it all off in about 1 day!

This is a juried craft show, presenting the finest in hand crafted arts and crafts. We're proud and excited to be a part of this event again this year.

You can find Celtic Chairde Creations in room 135. Say the secret word, and we'll give you a holiday gift! Almost inviso text follows: The secret word is Slainte (pronounced slan -cha).

Come by and rummage through Granny's Attic. You'll be thrilled with the treasures you find there.

We're back - at the Cape May Wine Festival!

This is in our top 10 festivals each year and we're thrilled to be back. Plan a special weekend and join us at:

The Cape May Wine Festival
Saturday & Sunday, October 8 & 9, 2011
Noon to 5 pm
Cape May - Lewes Festival Terminal in Cape May
Tickets are $25 per person if you are sampling wine. Free if you are not.
Under 21 is free. Advance ticket purchase discounts available.

The view is amazing. There are over 20 vineyards providing samples and award winning wines for sale. Food for every craving. Fantastic music playing all day. And vendors - like us! - with a wide variety of gift buying options.

It should be a beautiful weekend. What a great way to welcome in fall. And if you mention this post when you shop at our booth we'll give you a gift!