SEPTEMBER
2021
ISSUE
(2)
3
The Ladies' Penh
Scene from the Cambodian melodrama Peov Chouk Sor (Lady White Lotus), 1967, by Tea Lim Koun.
BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
MAMASOF OFTHE THEPENH: PENH: MAMAS Let's talk about reusable cloth diapers
Let's talk about reusable cloth diapers
If we were to name the countless benefits of cloth diapers vs. regular diapers, we would probably need more than just a newsletter. Let us still, however, go over a few. First of all, cloth diapers are money savers in the long run due to their reusability - they need only be washed and will be ready to go again and again until your child grows out of them. Which leads us to our next point - they can be donated. Amazingly, they have also been proven to promote faster potty training, A cloth diaper allows your baby to feel the wet sensation against their skin. Disposable diapers tend to wick away the wetness, so your baby is unaware of having gone potty. Cloth diapers also allow for more breath-ability.
They are usually made from different types of polyester or natural fabrics, so they are less likely to cause skin irritation and rashes. And of course, the obvious - they are environmentally friendly. Loving your child is also contributing in leaving a better world for them, so let us minimize waste. Shazia Shah, a British Bangladeshi from London, has brought the idea to Cambodia through her brand Happy Baby. Shazia had worked with different NGOs traveling between Asia and London since 2010, and decided to stay in Cambodia 8 years ago. She opened the first 100% vegan, ecofriendly restaurant in Cambodia, located in Sihanoukville and called Dao of Life.
HAPPY BABY ក្មេងសប្បាយចិត្ត CLOTH DIAPERS After falling pregnant with her first child, Shazia and her partner moved to Koh Kong. "I kept thinking on how to produce less waste. I knew these kind of solutions (diapers) existed. My family in Bangladesh had used somethingsimilar in the past, so we bought our own". They were often approached by people, specifically Khmers, who were extremely curious about these diapers, and so the idea to create their own brand was born. Now with 2 children, Shazia is the businesswoman behind Happy Baby ក្មេងសប្បាយ ចិត្ត cloth diapers. Not only are they good for the environment and your baby, but they are a treat to everyone elses' eyes with the adorable patterns. Their Love from Cambodia collection will be made by mommies in Siem Reap. These are ladies that lost their businesses/income due to the pandemic.
The profits from the Love from Cambodia collection will go back to the community of mummies to help improve their sewing skills and support their families. As part of the social business, Shazia has also provided women in her community with workshops on the benefits of cloth diapering and impact of single-use diapers to our environment. The next collection of cloth diaper covers coming soon from Happy Baby will be made from recycled plastic bottles! If you are wondering which set to start with as a new mom, Shazia recommends the Starter kit, which is a set of 8 pocket diapers, 8 microfibre inserts, 5 bamboo cotton boosters and 1 biodegradable diaper liner roll for $74.
Can we take a moment to appreciate this beautiful pattern? Click to go to Happy Baby's Facebook Page
GORGEOUS LASHES with Lashboomer ENHANCING WOMEN'S NATURAL BEAUTY
Now, who doesn't dream with long, luscious natural eyelashes? Lashboomer, an eyelash enhancing and growth-promoting serum has you covered. The difference between Lashboomer and the hundreds of other products with empty promises of making your eyelashes grow is called Prostaglandin, a component which has been scientifically proven to promote eyelash growth. Combined with Biotin, Collagen and other goodnesses, this product does not irritate the eyes and it promises to give you 50% longer eyelashes in 8 weeks. The use is quite simple, you apply it every night on your upper eyelid almost as if you are using eyeliner. Lashboomer was founded by the beautiful and charismatic Anastasia
Bilic, a young entrepreneur from Germany. When she came to volunteer in Cambodia for an NGO almost two years ago, she started missing these kind of products she would use back home to enhance her natural beauty. She noticed it is rather popular for women in Phnom Penh to instead get eyelash extensions. With her entrepreneurial spirits, she decided to introduce Lashboomer into the market by making her own research and working with a pharmacist in Germany to provide the best, scientifically proven-towork formula which works with the only FDA-approved ingredient for eyelash growth. You can try it by yourself and find Lashboomer at Ucare or Norm pharmacies, Antigona Spa, and of course, via their online store.
Lashboomer is soon to introduce a mascara to provide a dramatic effect with your lashes. Likewise, keep youreyes peeled for BrowBoomer, a product which will promote eyebrow growth (Thank you Cara Delevingne, now we all want your eyebrows!). Anastasia's vision is simple yet inspiring: to enhance women's natural, unique beauty. She is also a strong advocate of Self Love. which she relates to her brand "Skin Care is very popular these days and everyone takes care of their skin, but nobody talks about eyelash care, which is another part of your body. We should care for every part of us". Lashboomer is being exported to Thailand and Germany, whilst Switzerland and France's are to follow in having a taste of these fantastic products.
BEAUTIFYING YOUR HOME
Sayon Din's Creations Sayon was born in Prey Veng and moved to Phnom Penh at the age of 6. As a self-taught artist, she uses raw materials that are provided by the generous Cambodian land to create beautiful cushions, bed sets, lamps, and other lovely items that can be customised to your taste. Go to her Instagram @sayonsilkwork to see her amazing work!
How Much do you know about HOWCambodia's MUCH DO Queen? YOU KNOW ABOUT CAMBODIA'S
CambodiaQUEEN? If you have been living in for a while,
you may probably know that the Queen Mother's birthday, June 18th, is a public holiday. But would I be wrong in guessing that's about all you know? I do not blame you. I very much just recently found out a little bit more about her myself.
Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, born Paule Monique Izzi, was Queen Consort from 1993 to 2004, as the second wife of King Norodom Sihanouk. Quite modern for the Cambodian culture, They lived together from 1952, before officially getting married in 1955. Her exceptional beauty also won her prizes on beauty pageants when she was young(er). She is currently the Cambodian Red Cross Honorary President. Long Live the Queen!
BONG BONLAI Environmentally conscious, delicious foods.
Bong Bonlai is a 100% vegan restaurant near Bassac Lane ran by women, and owned by the charming Irina Chakraborty.
Irina already had a very international background before coming to Cambodia ten years ago. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, to Indian-Finish parents, Irina has experienced and lived in a plethora of different cultures. Irina started Bong Bonlai (Brother Vegetable as it can be best translated from Khmer) after years of running YK Art House and providing the breakfast for the guesthouse guests. As she turned vegan three years ago, so did the restaurant. Bong Bonlai offers a whole-foods, plant based menu for delivery. They have biodegradable packing, and also offer reusable steel packing that is available for a small deposit fee. There are two menus available for their delivery: Hearty (a comfort food option) and a lower carb option. Oil free, salt free and gluten free options are available. Dining in is also of course a wonderful option. You can
choose between their green, outdoor area and a wonderfuland cozy indoor space filled with a fantastic book collection that you can borrow from as well as donate to. Tempeh skewers is their star dish; and Irina has a preference for the pancakes - I am a fan of their tofu scramble (with avocado). Bong Bonlai isn't just a restaurant. As it is located within YK Art House, there is a gallery available for cool events. Every Tuesday evening, for example, a Ukelele circle gathers to learn and play. Soon, Bong Bonlai will offer a selection of vegan items to purchase, all environmentally friendly.
PEACHY MILK
Natural, Cruelty Free, Eco-concious Beauty, Health and Lifestyle Products Peachy Milk is a Kampot-based business with an ethos of providing natural skin care products, founded by Amina Bouimane, a Londoner who decided to establish roots in Cambodia 6 years ago after a life-changing South-East Asian tour. Coming from a Morrocan family background, Amina grew up moisturizing her skin and hair with natural products, thus decided to bring 100% pure Moroccan Argan oil to the Cambodian market -no added extra chemicals (You know what they say, if you wouldn't eat it, don't put it in your skin - your largest organ!) Peachy Milk sources organic products locally and around the world. They began with raw oils (Argan, Coconut, Castor, Jojoba, etc) and expanded to natural cosmetics & vegan make up. Peachy Milk has teamed up with other like minded businesses that share the same ethos of bringing natural remedies to the public, selling each others' products. Broadhead Botanicals, a brand of natural soaps, lotions and scrubs made in Phnom Penh is one of them. With Peachy Milk you can also find vegan, aluminumfree deodorant, cruelty-free makeup by NYX, Essential oils by Kambio and Bestnat (made locally in Cambodia!) Peachy Milk tries to source products the products that women want, responding to everyone's needs.
Amina tries wholeheartedly to cater to everyone's specific individual needs, therefore you can always contact her as she may try to source the product you need depending on your skin-type. Find Peachy Milk on Facebook: Peachy Milk
SHOPPING CONSCIOUSLY Tip: Go shopping at Clothesline Resale Boutique and tell them you've heard about them from The Ladies' Penh and get a $3.00 shop voucher valid for the month of October It's equivalent to perhaps a t-shirt or some rings! Clothesline Resale Boutique is an adorable second hand shop founded by Chenda Yen and Amy von Diest. Chenda, Cambodian, has a background in community development and had already volunteered in countries when she met Amy, an American lady with a many passion for education on environmental sustainability, in India, as they were both involved with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Amy took the opportunity to visit Chendra six years ago and get to see Cambodia. Chendra's Mom, welcoming as Cambodians are, invited Amy to stay in her house and soon enough, Amy became part of Chendra's family. Chendra and Amy, thinking about how to start a business while still caring for the elders of the family, came up with Clothesline Resale Boutique to have a business in their own home that can also give back to their community.
They strive to have not just a second hand shop, but also an Ecoshop and a place where they educate youth, specifically Cambodian youths, onWOMEN'S how they consume and CENTER IN SIEM REAP RESOURCE its impact on the planet. Approximately 60 to 70% of what is donated (yes, you can donate) to Clothesline Resale Boutique goes to the community - No piece of clothing is wasted! This store is for both Khmers and Foreigners who get a little homesick trying to find the brands they know back home - without actually buying new clothes, therefore contributing to the environment.
Find it by searching "Clothesline Resale Boutique' on Google maps. (Open Wednesdays - Sundays from 12 pm - 6 pm!)
STAYCATION AT PALACE GATE If instead of traveling during the Pchum Ben holidays in October you are opting to stay in the city, you have a wonderful option of pampering yourself to a luxurious staycation at Palace Gate at an attractive discounted rate. This elegant hotel offers a prime location, fantastic views, excellent service and a wide range of on-site amenities. In their Pchum Ben promotion you get to stay 3 nights and pay only for 2! The cost is $85 per night, including a Buffet Breakfast for two Only available from the 5th to the 8th of October. They will be allowing an early check in (10 am) and a late check out (3pm) for you to get the most out of this incredible deal! Contact them at reservation@palacegatepp.com
Events
Moving from Within is a beautiful 5 week journey into self-exploration that aims to awaken four Divine Feminine Archetypes. This course involves mythology exploration, meditation, tantric breathwork practices, movement, dance and art expression for you to step into your wholeness. The workshops will take place on October 14th, 21st, 28, Nov. 4th, November 11 at Palace Gate Hotel and has a cost of $125. Go to "Moving from Within" on Facebook page to get more information, or find @movingfromwithin on Instagram. The event can also be found on Palace Gate's Facebook Page.
Delight yourself this weekend with luxury, breakfast and/or free flow of wine and drinks whilst shopping the fantastic Lashboomer and Kvtesutherlvnd products. On the 2nd and 3rd of October, the two brands will have a pop-up store at Palace Gate Hotel, where you'll be able to shop whilst enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast and a swim in one of the most beautiful pools of Phnom Penh. You can find the event on the Lashboomer, Kvtesutherlvnd and Palace Gate Hotel's Facebook pages.
The Ladies' Penh
The Ladies' Penh - theladiespenh@gmail.com