Natural Spa Factory candle c/o Bath & Unwind here
Last Tuesday, I headed up to the gorgeous Clifton offices of beauty company Bath & Unwind to enjoy a #blogclub meet up. #blogclub is run by two wonderful blogging friends of mine, Sophie from Saints on a Plane and Hayley from Bonjour, Blogger! They often arrange meet ups at varying locations around Bristol, usually hosted by local businesses as an opportunity for bloggers to meet and discuss varying topics in an informal setting, and also to learn more about brands and businesses in the local area.
The topic of this month's #blogclub was paid links and disclosures, and Sophie had put together some really useful tips around these topics. It's so refreshing to be able to discuss aspects of blogging such as this, frankly with a group of like minded individuals; shared knowledge and input means that you'll always come away learning more. As bloggers, and influencers, we have a duty to notify our readers about anything they might potentially decide to buy, and we discussed the importance of disclaimers and transparency. I have a disclaimer in my 'about me' section (here), and I will always mark any PR gifts as 'c/o' before the blog post.
I'd heard about several of the points that we discussed prior to the meeting but it was eyeopening to hear about the minutiae of the information; for example, declaring paid links on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #sponsored ( #sp doesn't cut it!) and as for spam comments on blog posts, they have gone from being a mere annoyance to a potential hazard to the credibility of your site, and therefore should be deleted immediately, as they may contain dangerous links hidden within them.
As bloggers have significant and often extensive clout within the advertising world, the Advertising Standards Agency has recommended guidelines which they have set out on their website, here. For many individuals, blogging is fast becoming a way to make a living, and as an online 'magazine' in many cases, it's inevitable that brands and companies will want to see their products featured on those pages. It's a testament to the creativity and hard work of many successful bloggers that are being taken seriously as editors of their web spaces that have allowed this development and whilst there are no set rules, a level playing field makes for a fairer and more equal environment for all.
The particular Tuesday evening we met was an absolute swelterer but luckily, the Bath & Unwind team had prepped for this eventuality with their wonderfully cool office aircon, and chilled cans of san pellegrino on hand on arrival. We were also treated to some delicious cakes and had a lovely time swooning at the bar and coffee machines in their state of the art workspace! The company is an online beauty store, stocking premium brands from across the globe. The website is relaxed and easy to navigate, and contains an eclectic mix of established brands and independent names. I was lucky enough to be gifted this beautiful Natural Spa Factory candle at the end of the evening, and I couldn't wait to try it out!
The Natural Spa Factory is based in Bath, and the company is driven by a desire to bring the wonderful tranquillity and luxury of spa treatments to the home. Ergo, you will find a carefully edited range of fantastic products from facial skincare to bath and body, to well being gifts such as this gorgeous amber candle. Free from nasty chemicals, never tested on animals, and busting with botanical goodness, this brand is definitely one to watch. The candle that I was given has an amber scent, and it's delicious! Not too heady or strong, the dark glass holder is sleek and elegant and the scent emanates from the jar as the candle is burnt. It burns smoothly and without sooting, and the fragrance fills the room pleasantly.
The Natural Spa Factory isn't found on the high street, as it's stock exclusively through independent retailers and online. You can buy this candle and check out the full range of products on the Bath & Unwind website, here.
XO Amie
Post a Comment