You’re the Bomb
An inspiring young woman has not allowed a global pandemic to stymie her plans to open a new boutique store in Timaru. You’re the Bomb sells small-batch luxurious handcrafted bath and beauty products all created and made by owner Luana Dominey (pictured above).
Luana’s desire to create the ‘ultimate bath bomb’ for her daughter and herself back in 2017 started a journey of discovery and an online business venture. Once Luana perfected the bath bomb she was on a mission to create a full range of beauty products that now includes scrubs, body butters and body washes. The success of her online business has necessitated a shift from working at her kitchen table to creating a workshop and store at 140 Stafford Street, Timaru.
Luana’s mantra of test, test, test ensures the products are suitable for those with sensitive skin. You’re the Bomb products are vegan, ‘nasties’ free and all packaging is environmentally friendly.
Words Ruth Entwistle Low / Image Mark Low
A Small Book with a Big Message
Bernard Raupō Bittern III (or Boomer to his friends) is the self-appointed mayor of the Waipuna wetland community and an esteemed storyteller. He is determined to save the local wetlands, and with the help of Jack and his family on Boundary Farm they are on track to make Boomer’s wetland bigger, better and safer.
Author Ange Cushnie describes talking about wetlands through the eyes of an endangered native bird as ‘the ideal way to shine a light on community, native plants and wildlife’.
‘I wanted to highlight and celebrate all the good work being done inside farm gates,’ she explains, ‘while at the same time educate and raise awareness so more people can find out what they can do to help in their local community.’
With less than 1,000 Australasian bittern left in New Zealand their conservation status is ‘threatened-nationally critical’ and more needs to be done to help protect and restore their habitat.
Email angelacushnie@outlook.com to order your copy, RRP$20.
Get Baking
For those of you like me who aren’t culinary geniuses, these are a must-have for the cupboard!
With each base mix forming the essence of a variety of recipes, you will be covered for every occasion – morning tea, birthdays, dessert and more. Lemon and Raspberry Bars (thank you Vanilla Base Mix) have been a hot fav! Yummo!
A Helping Hand
The Aoraki Kids Endowment Fund is a new fund that aims to maximise the health and wholeness of our South Canterbury tamariki, enabling them to feel confident, competent and fulfilled – regardless of their financial or social background.
Local counsellor Leigh Lawless, together with the Aoraki Foundation and a committee of Leonie Rasmussen, Deb Quested and Heather Geddes, have created a fund for families to access paediatric children’s therapies such as counselling, child-centred play therapy, psychology, speech and language therapy along with support for learning assessments.
‘This proactive and “ambulance at the top of the cliff” approach is exactly what is needed and exactly how we need to respond to situations like Covid – and beyond,’ explains fund ambassador Nathan Wallis.
With the right support from community, business partners and local families, the endowment fund is set up to grow so that it can provide help for not only today’s kids, but future generations. They are seeking funding so they can begin to offer support for families who need it.
For information on how to donate email admin@aorakifoundation.co.nz
A Paper Towel Alternative
On the hunt for sustainable alternatives? Check out these natural bamboo cleaning wipes, an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic single-use wipes and paper towels.
Unlike paper towels, each sheet can be used up to 75 times (just pop them in the washing machine!) before being returned to the garden for composting. One roll replaces 65 rolls of conventional paper towels!
RRP$9.99, goodchangestore.com
Gardening in Schools
Having a vege garden at home is becoming popular again for many reasons, but there are still many children who have no idea where their food comes from and how easy it is to grow.
Last spring Mitre 10 MEGA Ashburton trialled a Gardening in Schools programme. Garden expert April Breading visited local primary schools, holding classroom sessions educating the children in a fun way about growing their own vegetables, as well as showing them how it’s done.
Following the success of the trial, Mitre 10 MEGA Ashburton planned to offer an Autumn Vegetable Gardening in Schools programme in March, educating students that they can grow vegetables all year round. Sadly, COVID-19 forced plans to be abandoned. Thankfully a Spring programme was able to be run and there are definite plans to grow this programme in both the Timaru and Ōamaru areas in the future. Watch this space!
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