How to cope with Winter and dry skin, The Camellia, Thunder Bay, On

Winter - for some of us, the word equates with cold, dry skin, bleeding noses, dry eyes and a whole lotta "I hate Winter!". Especially when the temperature hits  -30 or -40 C. Some of us get so fed-up that we head to the airport and head SOUTH! 

Here we are at Playa del Carmen...a short hop from Thunder Bay on a direct flight with Sunwing. Sun, sand, Beach and moisture.....green living plants, Vitamin Sea, as they say. Our oh-so-dry winter skin started to feel much better as soon as we stepped into all that warmth! and let's not forget, moisture and humidity. 

Lovely view from the Breakfast Room - that is a not a mural, but a real, live Coconut Palm tree outside the window. ( At Viva Wyndham Maya Resort, Mexico). 

What our skin is lacking in the Winter is moisture....the plants in the above photo are getting misted, creating a moist environment in which tropical plants can flourish. It is difficult to get moisture in Winter, indoor heating systems make everything dry, and even with a humidifier on, our skin is always dry. Why do we live in a place where the air hurts your face when you go outside?  Hah...that's a good question.!

Of course it goes without saying that we need to drink lots of water - but don't you find it difficult to chug 8-10 glasses of water per day? You can also drink hot liquids, and you can juice your fav fruits and veggies. #BlissCafe offers classes in Juicing.

Here is one of the delicious juices you can make yourself , this is a Class at Bliss Cafe in Thunder Bay.

Teas made from Mints grown in your Garden are great for sipping during Winter.

Even though it's Winter you should still be going swimming and going to the sauna is a must. There are a few pools in Thunder Bay that use Bromine and not chlorine. Great for those of you who cannot stand the smell and the itching from swimming in chlorine. Click on the following link to get some more ideas on Hydration from Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario.

http://www.steannes.com/blog/dehydration-vs-dryness

Here are our fav Skincare products that get us through a Northwestern Ontario winter! Rocky Mountain Dry skin Butter, Rocky Mountain Foot Butter, No-Crack Hand cream, and Rocky Mountain Breakout Buster. You can buy these Rocky Mountain soap products here at the Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd.

 Watch a short video from Beekman 1802 of soapmaker Deb, of Sharon Springs, N.Y.  https://youtu.be/1lLapEhe5Bo

Our winter skincare Kit makes a great Valentine's Day Gift, something that is appreciated all winter long. We especially are crazy about White Oak's Lavender Deep Muscle Jelly, which smells divine and helps with muscle pain. Beekman 1802 Goat's Milk soap is very hydrating for Winter skin. Call us at 475-3551 to order or toll-free at 1-877-523-7444, we deliver Valentine's Day gifts in Thunder Bay and Slate River. 

The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Open Wednesday through Sunday. 

Gifts for Guys, The Camellia, Slate River, Ontario

The countdown is on ...we will not stress you out by saying how many days until Christmas...maybe you're pondering  what to buy for the guys on your list. You walk into the Big box guy store...and the smell of tires and rubber knocks you out, you beat a hasty retreat back to your vehicle. Think, think, THINK, what to get? 

Does he like to whip up stuff in the kitchen? Get him a Beekman 1802 Apology Pie Mix - a delicious, no bake pie. Buy it at #TheCamellia.

Does he like to shave the old-fashioned way? Get him #RockyMountain Peppermint Shave bar. ( Girls, this is great for you as well!)

Does he come home from work in the Summertime, change his clothes and head straight out to the Garden? Then this hand-cut Grow metal sign ( made by Elaina in Thunder Bay) would be perfect for him. And it's non-rusting. 

Guys love to be pampered! Get him some Beekman 1802 Goats" Milk Soaps, natural & chemical free.

If he loves the outdoors, get him a Multikap from #TheCamellia. Check out their video : https://youtu.be/pHYFI4NBKjg. We have them in stock in Camo, denim, & grey. Also great for Golfing, fishing, Camping, etc. 

Add some Bug repellent to their Gift ( they will love you for it).

His favourite chair may be looking a bit tired..you can buy him some Serenity Cottage Paint and repaint his fav chair, this colour is Crinson Red. You can buy #SerenityCottagePaint at #TheCamellia.

He may have a Man-cave, old wooden tables can be revamped with #UrbanCottage Paint. Comes in various coloured metallic finishes.















Of course, every Man-Cave ( even if it's just a corner of the room with his favourite recliner) needs a Man-Cave sign. These are metal, and we have a few different styles in stock at #TheCamellia.














If he loves being outdoors in the Summer, these make a great Gift for the Patio or out at Camp. They are 40 ft. wide on the bottom, and even the hoop at the top, folds up for easy transport.

Visit The Camellia for useful Gifts for the men in your Life.
We are at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd, Slate River.
Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-5, Fri. 11-5, Sat 11-5, and Sunday 12-5p.
p(807)475-3551

Porch Living at The Camellia

When you live in Northern Ontario, your Spring/Summer months are precious. So when it rains and rains, and lots of bugs are around, you can't help but get a little miffed, to say the least. Today It's SUNNY and we are going to attempt to finish planting our Gardens. Look how lovely these acrylic drops look in a planter, we have them for sale in the shop.

The French Lilacs and Iris are in full bloom, and the smell wafting through an open window is just lovely. Flowers and their smells just uplift one's soul. Mason jar is painted with Veruca Cottage Paint. Cottage Paint goes right over glass, and metal, as well as wood. 

Our Porch at the shop is getting a make-over, with a soap testing station, for Napa Valley soap, Beekman 1802, and Rocky Mountain Soap.

A moose and birch Twig wreath made up for an order. 

Practice boards from our Beginners' Cottage Paint class. Our July schedule ( July 10, & July 22nd. for CP classes)  is up on the website...phone to register for paint classes. http://www.thecamellia.com/classes-at-the-camelia.html

 Friends taking a Cottage Paint class together ... they were going to use their boards in the Garden with old doorknobs and implements. 

Here's to Patio and Porch Living and sunny summer skies ahead! 

Visit The Camellia for Lake themed goodies, Open Wednesday through Sunday. 

Open Canada Day 11-4p.

p-(807)475-3551

30, Hacquoil Rd. 

Slate River, On ( just outside Thunder Bay heading south on Hwy. 61)

Coping with Mosquitoes in the Garden, at Home,and at Camp

How many of you wait all Winter long, longing for green grass and the chance to Garden, then you get all that rain and muggy heat, and the bugs come out of hibernation. They are very annoying as after all, they are hungry, and you make a good meal. Click on this link for advice:

http://theprudentgarden.com/how-to-manage-mosquitoes-while-gardening/

And then you get that first Mosquito or Blackfly bite, or worse yet, a Tick. Since our Golden died last Fall and we are dogless, we have noticed way less ticks making their way into the house. Benji had really long belly fur, and the ticks just loved hitching a ride. Guinea Fowl will eat up all the ticks in your yard, I tried to rent my friend's guinea fowl, bit we'll save that story for some other time. 

Of course, all of us are anxious to get our gardens planted, and bugs love hanging around churned up dirt and manure. 

Photo taken at DeBruins' Greenhouses, Highway 61. 

We march outside, spurred on by visions of fabulous Gardens on HGTV, determined to get everything planted ( instead of what we normally do - buy plants like crazy, leave plants to wither away in their tiny packs). I know you don't do this, but  in my household, well, that's another story. 

A few steps outside, and the dratted things start buzzing around in our hair, and we rush back into the house, in defeat. 

A great all-natural Bug spray by Beekman 1802 will help.  No nasty chemicals here, no DEET. This Bug spray is loaded with essential oils that bugs hate. This is the same blend of Beekman 1802 Bug repellent oils that has been featured in Vogue & Apartment Therapy. 

And in Northern Ontario, it's not like in the movies, where the girl prances around in very short shorts, and sleeveless tops. Cover up, wear long-sleeved cotton shirts, and long cotton pants. When I lived in South America, during rainy season, there is an annoying bug that bites like crazy, so when ever we went on field trips into the bush, it was full Safari gear, no skin left uncovered, hats, socks, boots, all in 95 degrees F and high humidity. Can you imagine how hot we were?

And if you do get bitten, use Breakout Buster which we sell at our store, the Camellia. This product is from the Rocky Mountain Soap Company, Put it on right away as soon as you get a bite,  it stops the itching and swelling is a lot less. $9.50. 

If you have a camp or Cottage, an essential item is  a Mosquito Net. These have been used in the Caribbean and in most tropical countries, because they work . 

Hang a Mosquito Net over the bed. Net tucks in between mattress and frame of bed. Leave an opening in case you have to get up to go to the bathroom ( most of you who are not used to sleeping with a net will forget about it and pull the whole thing down on themselves, of course being asleep does not help!) Ours fit up to a queen sized bed, priced at  $39.95, they come complete with a hoop which is folded up in the package and like magic, springs up into full size upon opening, so yes, we can ship Mosquito nets within Canada. 

How do you cope with Bug season? 

Visit The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, Ontario

p-(807)475-3551

Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. 12-6, Fri. and Sat. 11-5, Sun. 12-5

South on Hwy. 61, left on Hacquoil Rd. We are on the LHS, #30/32

Gifts for Spring & Mother's Day at The Camellia

Hello everyone! It has been an incredibly busy week - a big Thank you to everyone who visited us at the Spring Home & Garden show 2015!

You know it's Springtime when you have this sudden urge to clean up and get rid of every trace of mess and Winter stuff. We have been reorganizing in the store - a tortuous, slow process, but well worth it. The geese are returning, the robins are back, and soon the miracle of new life begins. 

Visit us at the store for Rocky Mountain Soap products. These are all- natural, made in Canmore, B.C. 

This product works so well on cold sores, bug bites, and breakouts. In stock now at the Camellia.

Mother's Day is fast approaching - order Flowers for delivery , at 1-877-523-7444

Stop by to see our new painted furniture pieces for sale.

Metal Garden Art - Hand cut, and treated with heat to get that nice colour.

Set of 4 antique chairs for sale, see them in store.  

Stop by and visit The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River. On

we look forward to seeing you! 

Open Wed. 11-5, Thurs. Noon-5, Fri. 11-5. Sat. 11-5. Sunday Noon-5p.

Go south on Hwy. 61, turn left on Hacquoil Rd ( 1st road after Little Norway Rd. Is Hacquoil )

P(807)475-3551