Some of Nana Amoako’s favourite things....

I love Nana Amoako’s style. From her beautifully tousled hair to her pedicured toes; –Nana’s all about quality, laidback sexy style. Like myself –Nana is a fan of exfoliating –and uses natural honey and brown sugar –to gentle scrub her skin. You can do this easily by mixing brown sugar and honey –together, then apply to your face and gently scrub, –and follow by rinsing with warm water. If you want a more convenient option -then why not try Africa Ximenia and Salt Scrub, -a luxurious body scrub that cleanses, exfoliates and revitalises the skin, leaving it feeling silky-soft and smooth –made with Ximenia seed oil, which comes from the Ximenia tree [native to Africa]; organic beeswax and Community Trade shea butter from Ghana. £14.00 [http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/].

Nana [like me] is a big fan of make-up –and loves Wet 'n' Wild Mega Glo Face Illuminator. This much loved –mineral rich powder –is an all-in-one blusher, bronzer and brightener –and can be used to highlight and add shimmer to your eyes, lips and cheeks, -giving your face a healthy glow £2.00 [http://www.magicmakeup.co.uk/].

Denim is so hot right now –and brand Guess is the go-to label. Nana’s loves and looks fabulous in Guess -where her love of the -sexy, fashionable and playful is realized. Guess’s retro, sexy cowgirl denim S/S 2010 collection [and eclectic array of accessories] also offers a plethora of cute summer dresses – the type loved by Nana. I’m loving the featured garb in Guess’s S/S 2010 ad campaign [staring Vanessa Hessler and shot by Raphael Mazzucco] it features some of their fabulous accessories. For more information about Guess please visit: http://www.guess.eu/.

Beauty: Akoma at Exclusive Roots

"When sourcing their products Akoma purchase them from fair trade organizations in Africa. What does fair trade mean? Fair Trade means that the women co-operatives and suppliers making the products are paid at a fair rate and are provided with a pension plan, vacation, sick and family leave and overtime." Exclusive Roots

If you are after African Black Soap or real [raw] organic unrefined Shea butter, -take a look at Exclusive Root's website. The above yummy products are both made in Ghana, -by the, 'Akoma Women's Co operative' and are organic, free from dyes and fragrances. The shea butter is processed from nuts gathered from the karite tree grown in the northern region of Ghana. It is wonderful, contains vitamins A and E, leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth, -and makes an excellent moisturiser. It can be used to heal cracked, aged and damaged skin (£6.50).

The Soap is good for sensitive skin [it does not contain any; chemicals, preservatives, colour enhancers or fragrances] -and is coveted for its natural healing properties (£3.50). For more information about Exclusive Roots; to order, -or to enquire about wholesale orders [they have a minimum order of £50 policy -and for orders over £250, they provide free postage and packing] -or to receive a free 10ml sample of organic Shea butter [or coconut oil], please visit: http://exclusiveroots.com/home.html

Why not visit them at their store in Leamington Spa at:
Exclusive Roots
45 Park Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4QN Tel: 01926 258505
P.s Exclusive Roots also sells gorgeous dresses by Global Mamas -see the lovely dresses below (please read my past article, entitled -Global Mamas)- I believe the model in the photographs is Mirash Davies.

Beauty: Lush

Taking over from where the late, Anita Roddick left off -is the eco-friendly Lush; who have just recently started work on a new sustainable craft village in Northern Ghana. The village will provide a school, medical centre and a safe place for the ladies who harvest the Shea butter -used in Lush's products. I love their Handy Gurugu lotion -made with fair trade shea butter from Ghana and soothing rose water, -it is perfect for dry hands. www.lush.co.uk

Beauty: Shea Butter at The Body Shop

“Shea butter is one of nature's great moisturisers. Ghanaian women have used it for centuries to protect their skin from the dry Saharan winds. So who better to buy ours from than the Tungteiya Shea Butter Association, Northern Ghana. An association of around 400 women from 10 villages, we ensure a fair price for their product. Since trading with The Body Shop the women have been able to dramatically change their lives with water pipes and wells saving hours of water collecting, better housing, medical care, food, and self esteem. Importantly, they are also able to give their children, particularly their daughters, the chance to go to school.” The Body Shop

Gentle (it is often used in baby lotion); it smells gorgeous, its warm and healing -Shea butter melts deeply into your skin -softening the driest, most callus and chapped skins. So remember, when you buy products containing Shea Butter from The Body Shop -you are not just looking after yourself -but others back home. The Shea Body Butter and Shea Whip Body Lotion are available nationwide from Bodyshop -www.thebodyshop.com