Bang!

'The Nose that Lost its Dog' an exhibition of new work by Siobhán Hapaska opens tomorrow at the Glasgow Sculpture Studios

Click on images to see larger view

Siobhán Hapaska

The Nose that lost its Dog

Glasgow Sculpture Studios

145 Kelvinhaugh Street
Glasgow G3 8PX
United Kingdom

November 5 - January 30 2010

Noon to 5pm Thursday to Saturday or by appointment

Halloween Made Scarily Simple

"So you are just going as a ghost?" I was about nine and standing in the bathroom with my mother as she reached into the depths of the linen cupboard, perched high on a stepladder. I had a reputation for doing things very elaborately. Everything was researched, rehearsed and eventually executed with the maximum of attention to detail and the minimum regard for my parent’s belongings. When I wanted to find out how the TV worked; I took it apart. My mother would sigh as she dialled the TV repairman but she seemed largely resolved to her fate.

“Yes” I said taking a perfectly ok sheet from my mother ‘but I will need to cut some holes in it”.

I was indeed going to the church youth club fancy dress competition as a ghost, but not your common or graveyard ghost! I was going as Jack O’Lantern, the fabled Irish ghoul.

The whole outfit pivoted on me being able to create a pumpkin head with exactly the same red glowering eyes as the light cast by sister’s bike’s rear lamp. Having experimented with transistors and resistors, I concluded that my sister had to sacrifice her safety. The light was removed and rewired into the base of my mother’s orange washing up bowl out of which I had cut two eyeholes.

On all Hallow Eves my sister and I turned up early at St John’s Church Yard. Mounted on a footstool by the entrance to the church garden, the inverted bowl, now moulded with papier-mâché, on my head and shrouded in a now brown sheet, I cut a terrifying 7-foot silhouette. The effect was rendered even more startling by the red eyes and the unintentional aural backlight cast by my sister’s headlamp. I had bound her head in crêpe bandages but then got bored so she pedalled furiously, a mummy from the neck up, in her anorak behind me, her bike mounted on blocks.

Needless to say I won, which was really the point, although the church may have lost a few parishioners that night.

These days I do things much more simply.

A wreath of dried leaves on your door is a really welcoming way to greet your guests. I have just discovered a very quick way to dry your own foliage. Simply take a leaf, place it on a sheet of kitchen towel and microwave it for a couple of seconds at a time on a very low setting. You will have to experiment as some will scorch. Spray them with acrylic vanish and wire them into a floristry oasis wreath cast. The wreath will look great up until Christmas when you could ‘season’ it with a red bow or frosted glitter.

For a kiddie wreath; thread plastic baubles onto several strands of twisted picture wire and fashion into a circle around the kitchen bin and Boris is your uncle!

Pumpkin carving is my Halloween nightmare so I devised a way to avoid endless scooping and carving. Leave the pumpkin intact and simply paint on the features using glow-in-the-dark-paint, £3.65, from the Art Stationers, 31 Dulwich Village.

Another fiendishly timesaving trick is to hollow out the pumpkin, cut out the eyeholes and a round hole in the middle through which you can poke a carrot. There is no need to bother with cutting a mouth, when you have made such a monstrous nose!

For snacks we serve toasted pumpkin seeds and roasted garlic. Roast whole bulbs in the oven in foil, for a delicious purée you can spread on toast with Very Bloody Marys, a Roullier White Haunted House Specialty, follow the usual recipe but add lots of fresh horseradish and a shot of sherry!

Packed lunch ideas that will make their day

This is my favourite time of the year I love a crisp, sunny autumnal day. The summer is well and truly over, everyone is back at work and the kids are back to school. 

‘Back to School’ even today that phrase fills me with absolute terror; much the same as; “I’m afraid its dry rot’ or ‘do you want chrysanthemums in that bouquet?”  

My school career started out wonderfully well and term-time was indistinguishable from the holidays. We went to St Johns & St Clements as it was then in the tiny building on the corner of North Cross Road. Each September my sister and I would run down Archdale Road with the dog, who would take herself home after she had seen us safely through the school gates, hug our teacher, admire her new clogs - it was the 70’s - and picked up where we left off in July. 

Then one dark September I was banished to the Dickensian, towering Archbishop Tenison’s Grammar School at the Oval. From loving encouragement to draconian admonishment in less than two months, I simply didn’t get it. I had been sent from a pastoral, East Dulwich summer of content into drizzly, grizzly urban horror, where it always rained and it was always double physics. ‘Miss’ was replaced by a flock of masters, gone were her colourful clogs and tabards, replaced with a flurry of gowns and mortarboards. 

To make matters worse Tenison’s had seen fit to dress the lower school in blazers in that particular, and peculiar, shade of Yves St Laurent electric blue. You could always spot a Tensonian, not by the blue blazer, but we were the only kids with our jackets on inside out. 

My mother knew I hated Tenison’s and she took to writing little notes and hiding them amongst my sandwiches for me to find at lunchtime. To this day I marvel at how sweet that was. I never have time for breakfast yet my mum would make breakfast and packed lunches for us all and even find time to slip in a little message. 

Here is a selection of quick sandwich ideas that are ready in moments and children and adults alike adore. The trick is to utilise as many leftovers as possible. So plan ahead and always make a little extra. 

Tarka Cowlam, of the Pavilion Café in Dulwich Park, suggests using left over roast pork in a wholemeal baguette: Slice the pork add a little apple sauce, tarragon mustard and crisp oak or cos lettuce. 

Caterer Suzanne James, Barry Road SE22, uses leftover Sunday roast beef, with caramelised onion chutney, horseradish and rocket on Mighty White, cut the crust off and WOW! Another of her favourites is Cumberland sausage with Branston Pickle in a soft white bap. 

Tariq of Tandoori Nights on Lordship Lane advises us not to be scared of recycling last night’s left over vegetable curry, spoon into pita pockets and revitalise with a little cucumber raita.

Similarly our friends at Dos Amigos, also Lordship Lane, tell us cold vegetable chilli works well in wraps with sour cream and cheese. Cold scrambled eggs in brown pita pockets with sprinkled grated cheese and shredded lettuce.  This works equally well with omelette or tortilla.

Avocado, salad and pine nuts in a crispy brown roll. 

Cheddar and sliced strawberries on multi grain with lightly spread low calorie mayonnaise.

Mixed grated carrot, cheese and a tiny drop of olive oil, preferably in a big cheesy bap. 

Roast chicken and apricot or mango. 

Pop in a little note, you never know they could still be talking about it 30 years later. 

Oh and cut them into triangles. Everyone knows they taste much better that way!

Spider woman Mrs White does it again; natural, non-toxic spider deterent

Due to warmer weather and a decrease in the use of pesticides Britain is enjoying a bumper crop of spiders this autumn. The main time for spiders is September and October, when they look for mates and feed up before hibernation, but we have all noticed many more, and much bigger ones, this year. 

Spiders are a valuable part of the ecosystem so we don't want to kill them, we just don't particularly want to get into bed with them! A simple, safe and fragrant way to deter them from your home is with Roullier White's exclusive Mrs Whites Aroomatics™ in Citrus Grove fragrance. Spiders hate lemon and as they 'smell' with their feet if you spray Mrs Whites Citrus Grove Aroomatics™ around your door and window frames and thresholds you will have them scurrying for cover back in the great outdoors. 

Mrs White's Aroomatics™ is a range of beautifully scented all natural people, pet and planet friendly room sprays that will enhance your living environment, neutralize odours and lift your spirits. Saying goodbye to spiders is and added bonus to smile about.

Coem along to our East Dulwich store, Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, london SE22 8HU, or click here to buy on line.

In Memoriam: Milo White

Everyday as I left the house worried about what awaited me, I would look forward to getting home and seeing Milo, his little face still scrunched up from sleep, hopping down the stairs to greet me. As I walked past I would poke my hand through the banisters to rub his head. He would grab it with both paws and wouldn't let it go.

Today at 2.30pm we had to let go. We said goodbye to our Milo. He was just 6 years old. Milo really was the most handsome of cats, with enormous saucer eyes and turned up button nose. He was also the most adorable; full of quirks and neuroses that made him even more lovable. He hated the hair-dryer, the hoover and the door bell with a passion but loved the sound of the key in the lock, clean sheets, tinned tuna, shoes and a wash from his twin sister Lola, who survives him. He knew when I was going to bed and would always be waiting in my side of the bed when I appeared from the bathroom. More than anything he liked it when we were not at work and he had us all to himself for a day or weekend. Not as chatty as his sister, he would flop down on the bed and grunt his approval when he realised we were not going anywhere.

Milo was diagnosed with Poly-cystic Kidney Disease nine months ago, but his eventual demise was very rapid. Milo was a Short haired British Blue, a breed which is prone to this distressing genetic condition. If you are thinking of purchasing a British Blue, or any type of Exotic Short hair or Persian, spare yourself the anguish and make sure that the breeding pair whose offspring you are buying both tested negatively for PKD. It is your responsibility as a potential pet owner to ask for a copy of the PDK Negative Certificate.

It is possible to eradicate this rare and horrible disease, which is not detectable until the cat has already lost two thirds of its kidney function and is untreatable and fatal.

If you are a breeder who has not had your cats tested then you should be ashamed of yourself, and you will soon be acting illegally.

We will miss Milo greatly but I know one day the loss we currently feel will be replaced with the fondest of memories, for the fondest of companions.

In memory of my Milo. My Milly Molly Moo.

For more information on Feline Poly-cystic Kidney Disease please click here.

Mrs White's Wooly Answer - all natural handwash for cashmere and knits

It’s that time of year again, time to pack away our summer shirts and unpack the cashmere sweaters.

Horrified last year by the way that our prized cashmere came back from the cleaners -stiff as a board - and reluctant to trust them to the erratic washer dryer or the nasty chemicals that are prevalent in commercial laundry products we asked ourselves; ‘What would Mrs White do?’

After months of research and trialing old recipes combined with scientifically formulated blends of essential oils Mrs White’s Wooly Answer was born. Mrs White’s Woolly Answer is a gentle hand wash for your treasured woolies and knits. Unlike commercial detergents, and even worse dry cleaning solutions, which strip your fabrics and dry them out leaving them hard and unmanageable Mrs White’s Woolly Answer’s blend of oils replenishes as it cleans. Also this completely natural alternative leaves no nasty chemical residue in the fabric to be absorbed by your skin.

Mrs White’s Woolly Answer’s unique blend of essential oils contains cedar wood oil, a natural and highly effective moth repellent, that will protect your clothes from those troublesome bugs whilst leaving them smelling delightful.

Use with Mrs White’s Soft As Snow – a natural hand or machine wash fabric conditioner – for your winter woolens. Also contains Cedar Wood oil to guard against moths.

Pink Martini - Bolero

Peckham Rye Fête Saturday 5th September

Watched a Movie I Didn't Like To Much But Saw A Performance I Adored

Damnit Anna - Morning Benders

Mrs White's all natural, hand blended, hand & body washes

Mrs White's all natural, people, pet & planet friendly hand and body wash for basin, bath & shower.

• No artificial fragrances
• No petro-chemical ingredients,
• No SLES, SLS, Parabens or synthetic preservatives.
• Mild and gentle on your skin.
• For adults or children.
  

Do give it a try if you normally have allergy problems with liquid soaps as Mrs White's sufactant is made from sugar beet and this combined with only natural ingredients gives a really gently soap.

Highly concentrated, you any need a little bit, a little Mrs White's goes a long way.

Choice of Aromatherapy grade hand blended essential oils

• Pin Provençal; the fresh and fragrant scent of the cypress pine trees of the South of France. A wonderfully woody aroma with a tangy citrus base note and a touch of ozone. Like a stroll along the wooded Calanques of Cassis.

• Citrus Grove; my dear friend Emma spent several summers living in Paleochora; a fishing village in the South West of Crete. I went to visit her and we would escape from the midday sun into the cool citrus groves which surrounded the house she was renting. The zesty aromas would engulfed us; ripe oranges, lemons and limes mixing with herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme. This uplifting fragrance is the perfect antidote to a dull day. Never a dull day again

• À La Lavende; our lavender blend uses only essential oils from the finest flower crops to create a crisp lavender aroma which is instantly recognisable. Much more modern than more powdery, traditional lavenders, Mrs White's À La Lavande mixes flowers from the rolling hills of Provence, sun drenched Spain, Italy and even home grown lavender from the Garden of England.

• Wild Mint; near to our home in the South of France there is an almost mythological lake. We were aware of its existence for years but it took ten years to be trusted by the locals with its secret location. When we eventually followed the instructions down the winding tree lined dirt track what met us was as close to paradise as I have ever come. We sat down to take in the beauty of this hidden treasure. Children ran past us through the meadow to the lake's sandy shore as they did so they trampled the wild mint that grew there underfoot releasing a scent that I shall always associate with the joy of that moment.

• Rosemary & Orange; I have always loved the powerful combination of rosemary and orange. Not long ago, having prepared a sauce with these two fragrant ingredients, I held my hands up to my cooking companion and said; 'smell that, I could bathe in it.' 'Well you can do' she reminded me! This is a great one for children, a scent they will love with serious germ killing properties.

• West Indian Grapefruit & Lime; we wanted to create a clean, simple and fresh fragrance that was instantly uplifting and can be used in any room in the house. It is perfect for neutralising cooking smells, instantly removing lingering odours such as fish. The tangy, invigorating Grapefruit and Lime are lifted by a slight fruity sweetness. It is also perfect for a soothingly cool shower after a hot day. just add Rum.

Buy the complete collection of Mrs White's Hand & Body Washes and receive one free. That's a saving of £15 and enough bottles for your bathrooms and kitchens and perhaps even a few gifts. Once you have tried Mrs White's Hand & Body Washes you won't want to run out.

Mrs White's Pedal Power - all natural cleaner for cycles & motorbikes, buggies & prams

We all want to be as green as possible and cyclists are the greenest of the lot. It is a shame then when their lean, green machine get muddy to wash it down with horrible chemical-laden commercial cleaning agents which seep immediately into the environment via the water table.

Mrs White’s Pedal Power contains absolutely no harmful chemicals whatsoever.

So your conscience and your bike will both be squeaky clean.

Also the good news if that Mrs White’s Pedal Power requires no rinsing, just wipe it down and you are on your way!
Tested on bikes not animals.

Fast & complete biodegradability.
Directions: Shake well, dilute 1 cap full in 4 litres of warm water, wash well using using a sponge or chamois leather. Change water & cleaner as often as necessary.
Doesn't need rinsing off, simply dry and polish with a dry cloth for eco sparkle.

Highly concentrated one 500 ml bottle makes 117 litres of Pedal Power cleaner.

Rosemary & Spearmint.

Peddle along to our East Dulwich store: Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London, SE22 8HU or click here to buy online.

'It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful' happens to be beautiful - we love Slow Club

Cool way to peel a potato - literally!

Mrs White's Swatnot™ - all natural fly spray

Whilst all of us would claim to not to want to harm a fly it is easy to forget the real harm these pests cause us. Each fly carries over three million bacteria and is responsible for transmitting around 65 documented diseases. The pain and discomfort caused by these prolific creatures far out ways any argument to the contrary, left to breed unchecked the effects can be catastrophic with each female producing over 500 offspring. To make matters worse flies are attracted by human perspiration which is the reason why the will constantly buzz around you.

However, just as dangerous as the house fly or stable fly are the horrendous household pesticides we use to control them. Fly sprays are very dangerous poisons, the effects of these poisons on our health are incalculable. Most fly sprays contain Dichlorvos, a known carcinogenic and many use dangerous heavy metals such as mercury and lead. In fact household fly sprays are so dangerous it is amazing that they are still sold.

You could try swatting but with a response rate of 200th of a millisecond the odds are on their side and not favourable for your décor.

Responding to the hundreds of requests by devoted users of Mrs White's 'Unstung Hero' & 'Moth Off' who expressly requested a natural fly spray Roullier White is thrilled to announce the arrival of Mrs White's Swatnot™. Swanot™ is a completely natural people, pet and planet friendly fly spray which effectively eradicates house and stable flies whilst posing no risk to you or your family's health at all.

Swatnot™ is the most humane way to kill flies, with immediate and effective results.

Swantot™ can be used around the home and thanks to Mrs White's unique blend of high grade essential oils your home will be left fly free but fragrant.

Swatnot™ is perfect for use for those with horses, whose animals suffer from the adverse effects and discomfort caused by stable flies. Swanot™ will eradicate your stable fly problem and not compromise your horse's health.

I never understood why, when I wandered around the villages of rural France amongst the rows and rows of immaculately planted vegetables there would inevitably be several chrysanthemum plants. I recently discovered that chrysanthemums are a natural fly repellent. Mrs White's Swatnot™ secret blend of ingredients contains chrysanthemum absolute to help keep the pesky pests at bay after just one spray.

Mrs White's Swatnot™ at just £15 is a small price to pay to help protect the health and well being of your family, pets and beloved horses.

Click here to buy on line or fly along to our East Dulwich store, Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU

Mrs White's Pedal Power - All natural cleaner for cycles & motorbikes, buggies & prams - 500 ml

We all want to be as green as possible and cyclists are the greenest of the lot. It is a shame then when their lean, green machine get muddy to wash them down with horrible commercial cleaning against which seep immediately into the environment. Mrs White’s Pedal Power contains absolutely no harmful chemicals whatsoever. So your conscience and your bike will both be squeaky clean. Also the good news if that Mrs White’s Pedal Power requires no rinsing, just wipe it down and you are on your way!

Highly concentrated one 500 ml botlle makes 117 litres of Pedal Power cleaner. Rosemary & Spearmint

Tested on bikes not animals

Fast & complete biodegradability

Directions: Shake well, dilute 1 capful in 4 litres of warm water, wash well using using a sponge or chamois leather.
Change water & cleaner as often as necessary.
Doesn't need rinsing off, simply dry and polish with a dry cloth for eco sparkle.

Mrs White's Pedal Power is made with Mrs White's unique blend of natural plant derived ingredients including rosemary & spearmint essential oils.

Pedal along to our store in East Dulwich, Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London SE22 8HU
or click here to buy on line

Mrs White's Breath of Fresh Air

All the nasty fragrances that hang around in your home cling to the fabric. Tiny smell molecules get trapped in curtains, carpets, blinds and upholstery where they continue to release their odious odour for hours or even days. Commercial deodorisers, despite all claims to the contrary, just mask these trapped smells adding a layer of chemicals to the mix. What is most disturbing is that manufacturers need not list many of the chemicals that are in their ‘deodorisers’; as under one broad umbrella they simply need to state that their product contains ‘fragrance’ - which could mean the inclusion of over 600 petrochemicals; nasty toxins which do far more damage than the innocent smell molecules.

Mrs White’s Breath of Fresh Air is the perfect solution to the smells that linger problem. Containing Lemongrass which is a natural deodoriser and disinfectant and Patchouli (also a natural deodoriser – millions of hippies could not be wrong!) a couple of spritz and that morning after aroma, waft of wet dog, fragrance of fried fish, eau de onions will be immediately eliminated – not masked – and there will be no nasty carcinogenic chemical residue hanging around for your dear life.

Equally important is that Mrs White's Breath of Fresh Air smells absolutely amazing each time we spray it in the store customers enquire after the sensational scent.

Click here to buy on line or even better pop along to our East Dulwich store and see and smell all our other amazing Mrs White's products.

Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU

Mrs White’s Cradle & All - all natural, all purpose nursery cleaner

Mrs White’s Cradle & All - all natural, all purpose natural cleaner and sanitiser for high chairs, changing mats, prams, cots, tables, trays, toys and walkers.
Germs like to hang out where it is warm, there is moisture and there is food. The nursery is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. One speck of dust could contain over a billion microorganisms! Commercial cleaners may well rid your home of many of these harmful bugs but they also leave behind horrendous residues with which you would not want your baby or children to come into contact. Mrs White’s Cradle & All Nusery Cleaner and Sanistizer uses nothing sinister only the most natural ingredients to leave your nursery and child safe and sound.
Fast & complete biodegradability
All plant & natural mineral ingredients including Mrs White's unique blend of essential oils including organic lavender.
Not tested on animals
Directions:
Shake well, spray direct onto the surface, wipe over with a sponge/cloth & clean hot water. Dry with a clean cloth, paper towel or leave to air dry.
Click here to buy on line or popr along to our East Dulwich store;Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London SE22 8HU.

Mrs White Glides Through the Ironing

Mrs White’s completely natural cleaning products contain absolutely no harsh or harmful chemicals. Based on traditional recipes handed down through our family each product has been carefully researched ensuring it does exactly what it says on the box. The unique blend of natural ingredients, and highest-grade essential oils, will leave your home and your conscience squeaky clean; effectively eliminating all germs and bacteria with no nasty residue, you could eat off Mrs White’s floors! New to the collection is this simply stunning Linen Spary and all natural conditioning ironing water in two sublime fragrances.
Flora
Contains:
Jasmine; for centuries been used in ‘love potions’ due to its reputation as an aphrodisiac. Look forward to a passionate night.
Narcissus; an intoxicating fragrance named after the Greek narkao; narcotic, not the Grecian youth as is commonly and mistakenly believed.
Ylang Ylang; a natural antiseptic which relaxing the nervous system and induces an uplifted, joyous mood.
Sage; an antiseptic, deodorant said to create a feeling of euphoria, just what you need when you are doing the ironing. Press on!
Lavender
Lavender; has antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, disinfecting, deodorising and insect repelling properties. Lavender has been medically proven to have a calming effect and aids sleep.

Directions: Shake well, spray lightly onto your fabric before ironing to minimise wrinkles and gently scent your linen. Not recommended for rayon, satin or silk nor for pouring inside a steam iron.

Pop along to our East Duwlich store to experince these intoxicating fragrances first hand

Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, London SE22 8HU.

Or click here to buy online and rceive the next day.

Come rain or shine; for the sunshine after the rain & the calm before the storm

We don't believe in fair weather friends, we believe in those that stand by you no matter what life chucks at you. You can understand then how much we love this completely non fickle dual purpose Edwardian style parasol. It will shade you from the sun, and being 100% treated cotton will shelter you from showers too. Also available in cream.

Click here to buy on line or even better pop along to our East Dulwich store

Roullier White

125 Lordship Lane

East Dulwich

London SE22 8HU

It's A Sizzler - Roullier White's So Simple Vegetable Sizzler Recipe

Roullier White's So Simple Vegetable Sizzler Recipe.

This vegetable dish is a favourite of mine whilst travelling in India. It is delicious in the summer especially eatten outside as the sun is going down. The spectacle of the Sizzlers sizzling as you bring them to the table will thrill your guests.

There are many much more complicated versions of this recipe, however, I have parred it down after experimenting at home. This one works really well, is very quick and easy and everyone adores it.

In a hot oven preheat your Roullier White's Lodge Logic individual cast iron skillets with a little butter in the bottom of each. The oven should be on around 200° and they will probably need to be in for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile take a selection of seasonal vegetables and chop in bite size chunks. Remember to cut harder vegetables that take longer to cook into smaller pieces than softer ones.

Take a tablespoon of your favourite curry paste and dilute with a little melted butter. Brush the vegetables with the curry paste solution and spoon into the individual cast iron skillets. Beware as they may well spit so stand well back.

Put the skillets back into the oven until the vegetables start to char slightly.

Remove and serve immediately, serving each guest their own individual Sizzler skillet.

Before you take them to the table dowse each one with a little more melted butter for that breath taking sizzling effect.

Roullier White Iced Tea

Roullier White Iced Tea Recipe
Place 4 organic white tea bags in your Bodum ice tea maker pour over water that has cooled for a couple of minutes after boiling.

At this stage you could add sugar, but we find it more refreshing without.

Allow to steep until the cold, remove bags and chill.

Serve with ice, mint and wedges of lemon or lime.

Pop along to our East Dulwich Store,
Roullier White, 125 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London SE22 8HU
or click here to buy online.

Mrs White - taking the headache out of doing the laundry

As mentioned previously by us the biggest 'undeclared' additives in household cleaning agents are 'fragrances.' The manufacturer is obliged to list only the inclusion of 'fragrances' on the product packaging and with these use of clever marketing can imply that these 'fragrances' are natural, derived from plants or flowers. In fact, one fragrance can contain over 600 petrochemicals. These chemicals can have many serious side effects including eczema, headaches and migraines. No other products are fragrance d more highly than commercially produced laundry products. The reason why these products are so heavily scented? Fresh smelling washing? No. To mask the pungent chemicals that are used.

The chemicals and toxins in laundry products have considerably more opportunities to be absorbed by our bodies than most other household cleaning agents, most of which, however, have equally sinister contents. During use they often come into direct contact with the skin and are immediately absorbed, they also become airborne and are easily inhaled and residues from laundry products remain on clothing and linens after washing which are then absorbed by the skin. Moreover layering of chemicals from various products can create very harmful compounds – the addition of chlorine in many washing detergents can react with ammonia, also present in many cleaners, to create a lung damaging noxious gas.

Phthalates, used to lengthen the duration of a scent, are hormone disruptors and the reason why fish change sex. And there is even more bad news for the fish. Phosphates are used to remove hard-water minerals and to stop dirt from settling back onto clothes during a wash. When released into the environment phosphates stimulate the growth of certain marine plants which in turn stifle other marine life. You will have seen the dense green plant matter on the top of ponds. Detergents also often contain phosphorous to create the illusion of whiter than white whites. Phosphorous is also dangerous to marine life.

Ethylene-diamino-tetra-acetate or EDTA is a class of compounds used as an alternative to phosphates to reduce mineral hardness in water, prevent bleaching agents from becoming active and as a foaming stabilizer. EDTA does not biodegrade and can re-dissolve toxic heavy metals in the environment, allowing them to re-enter the food chain.

Detergents can also contain alkylphenols which can affect fertility, damage the immune system and increase likelihood of genetic abnormalities during pregnancy.

In 2004 cleaning products were tested on 272 animals.

Most fabric softeners contain formaldehyde, embalming fluid, which can cause headaches, heart palpitations, depression, insomnia, asthma, dermatitis and lung damage.

If all that was not enough have you ever wondered why your fluffy towels been dense and matted after a only a few washes? That is because a key ingredient in fabric conditioners and softeners is beef fat. Not that Comforting is it?

Mrs White's complete people, pet and planet friendly home laundry kit is just £60.00 (£64.70 when purchased separately) contains:
Laundry Maid – All Purpose Machine Wash 1 litre £10.95
Mrs White's Old Lace – Fabric Softener for Delicates & Intimates 1 litre £10.95
Mrs White's Soft As Snow – Fabric Softener for Wools & Knits 1 litre £10.95
Mrs White's Woolly Answer – Handwash for Wool and Cashmere 500 ml £10.95
Mrs White's Gossamer Wash – Handwash for Delicates & Intimates 500 ml £10.95
Mrs White's Linen Spray – Conditioning Ironing Spray 500 ml £9.95

Pop along to our East Dulwich store, we'd love to see you,
Roullier White
125 Lordship Lane
London SE22 8HU
or click here to buy online

Suné Connell makes delicious & nutritious Vietnamese Spring Rolls - perfect summer fayre

Nutrition Redefined

Cool down in a deliciously cool bath of Mitchell & Peach soothing bath products

The perfect antidote to stifling summer nights; 

a pre-bed cool bath in the soothing bath oil from Mitchell & Peach. The English grown lavender will help you sleep too. 

Click here to buy online 

or pop into Roullier White's East Dulwich store

Roullier White

125 Lordship Lane

East Dulwich

London SE22 8HU

Dying to get you windows clean? The real dangers of commercially produced window and glass cleaners

As I was cleaning the glass in my front door yesterday afternoon with Mrs White's Miraculous Glass Cleaner – Let the Light Shine Through! - spraying away I was pleasantly showered in the face by our lovely citrus blend. At the same time I was struck with a notion. What could I be breathing in if I was not using one of Roullier White's all natural Mrs White's people, pet and planet friendly cleaners but one of those nasty toxic ones from the commercial giants?

It is likely that the window cleaner or glass cleaner you are liberally spraying around your home contains at least one, or if not more, of the following poisons; ammonia, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and methanol.

Ammonia is a skin and eye irritant which can cause chemical burns. Ethanol is a skin and eye irritant which will cause nausea and vomiting. Isopropyl alcohol is twice as toxic as ethanol and is an active ingredient in antifreeze. However the real killer is methanol, it attacks the nervous system; ingestion of as little as 10 ml can cause blindness and a 100 ml dose is fatal in an adult. Methanol is the main component of methylated spirits.

About 30% of all admissions to hospital of children under the age of 15 are caused by accidental poisoning by household products.

Mrs White's Aroomatics™

We all want our homes to smell fragrant, but at what cost? Did you realise the air that you are breathing could be poisoning you? What you probably do not know (because the information which is provided is misleading) is that most home fragrances are not derived from plants and flowers but from petrochemicals. Whilst a label might simply say a product contains "fragrance," that fragrance can contain over six-hundred synthetic petrochemicals.

Mrs White's people, pet and planet friendly Aroomatics™ range of room and fabric fragrances uses only the finest aromatherapy grade essentials oils, there are absolutely no nasty chemicals in them whatsoever.

Pin Provençal; the fresh and fragrant scent of the cypress pine trees of the South of France. A wonderfully woody aroma with a tangy citrus base note and a touch of ozone. Like a stroll along the wooded Calanques of Cassis.

Rose Arbour; when my parents were courting, couples would stroll around the parks on Sunday afternoons. The most romantic spot in their local Peckham Rye Park was the Sexby Rose Garden, with its dense covered walkways of rose arbours it was a popular spot for young couples. Years late my mother would take me to the Rose Garden, the scent of the roses was intoxicating, we would collect the fallen petals and later use them to make rose water. I wanted to create a fragrance that reminded me of those endless, childhood, English summers.

Citrus Grove; my dear friend Emma Corcoran spent several summers living in Paleochora; a fishing village in the South West of Crete. I would visit her and we would escape the midday sun in the cool citrus groves which surrounded the house she was renting. The zesty aromas would engulfed us; ripe oranges, lemons and limes mixing with more earthy fallen fruits and herbs such as sage, rosemary and thyme. This uplifting fragrance is the perfect Mediterranean antidote to a dull Northern European day.

Grapefruit & Lime; we wanted to create a clean, simple and fresh fragrance that was instantly uplifting and can be used in any room in the house. It is perfect for neutralising cooking smells, instantly removing lingering odours such as fish. The tangy, invigorating Grapefruit and Lime are lifted by a slight fruity sweetness. When we spray it in the shop customers always emit a gasp, this is a truly distinctive and cooling fragrance, perfect also for spraying on your sheets and pillowcases on a hot summer's night.

À La Lavende; our lavender blend uses only essential oils from the finest flower crops to create a crisp lavender aroma which is instantly recognisable. Much more modern than more powdery, traditional lavenders, Mrs White's À La Lavande mixes flowers from the rolling hills of Provence, sun drenched Spain, verdant Tuscany and even home grown lavender from the Garden of England.

Cedar Closet; when I first went to stay with my friend Matthew in the Hamptons the first thing to strike me after the enormity of the guest walk-in closet was its powerful cedar aroma which would penetrate the towels bath robes. We have blended the finest cedar oils in a secret, all natural formula to recreate that wonderful, warm and woody fragrance. Cedar has the added benefit of being a strong natural moth repellent.

Click here to buy online or pop along to our East Dulwich store;

Roullier White,

125 Lordship Lane,

East Dulwich,

london SE22 8HU

My big low-fat Greek salad

I first had this salad years ago in a Greek restaurant in New York. It struck me as slightly odd as I was ordering it but it was delicious and later walking the streets and seeing all the masses of chilled watermelons outside the delis it made perfect sense.

This is the perfect refreshing summer dish and is ready in minutes. Apart from the feta (40% fat) and the drizzle of healthy olive oil this dish has zero fat.

Take lots of cubed chilled watermelon, add red onion and pitted Kalamata olives, crumble over some feta cheese. For extra freshness I sprinkle with fresh mint and oregano and drizzle with olive oil.

You can add cucumber but I think the watermelon is a great substitute for both the tomato and cucumber.

To pit your olives, or cherries, use one of the amazing Olive Pitters by Oxo GoodGrips.

Pop along to our East Dulwich store
Roullier White
125 Lordship Lane
East Dulwich
London SE22 8HU
Or click here to buy on line

Beurrier - French style glass butter dish

As the butter versus margarine argument continues to rage, I know what I would be rather spreading on my toast. Delicious organic butter or a synthetic spread that is apparently only one molecule away from plastic? Umm.

There is the famous fly test, which I have yet to try, if any of you have please let me know. Apparently an open tub of margarine left in the garden will be completely ignored by flies! Although a low fat margarine may be better if you are watching your fat intake read very carefully the type of fats that the spread contains.

As for me there is nothing worst that waking up the the taste for a slice of delicious brown toast and finding the butter has all but gone. Glass butter dishes are the perfect solution but actually hard to come by, we sourced this dish for a French customer who was unable to find one in France. Beurriers to Bordeaux? Beats taking coals to Newcastle n'est-ce pas?

Pop along to our East Dulwich store
Roullier White
125 Lorship Lane
London SE22 8HU
Or click here to buy online