Soapmaking Class

On Saturday I took a soapmaking class.  I have been wanting to learn how to make homemade, cold-process soap for years now, and I finally had the opportunity.  I learned the basics of lye safety, lye calculation for different oils used in soap recipes, and heard some interesting stories about the history of soap making.  As part of the class, we made a lavender oatmeal soap, which we took home with us.  I let the soap sit in the mold, covered with a towel, for about 48 hours.  I cut it into bars this morning and right now the soap is curing in my kitchen.  It smells fantastic.

One of my humble bars of soap.

Have you ever made soap before?  What’s your favorite soap company or recipe?

Spring Strawberry Bliss: A Facial Masque

For my husband’s birthday party last weekend, I bought a ton of strawberries.  4 lbs. worth.  We had plenty leftover and I’ve been eating them everyday, but I needed to use them up faster.  So, I made a strawberry face masque and it was divine.

Here’s the recipe.

Spring Strawberry Bliss
1 strawberry
1-2 tsp. cornmeal (or ground oats)
1/2 tsp. raw honey
1/4 tsp. argan oil (or any oil that suits your skin)
3 drops lemongrass EO (or any EO that you love!)

Mash the strawberry well by hand or use a food processor.  Mix in all of the other ingredients and add the amount of cornmeal (or oats) needed to get the consistency you desire.  Apply to clean skin and leave on for 15-30 minutes.

I enjoyed it as a face masque and a hand “masque” while soaking in the bath.  It smelled wonderful, making my skin tingle for the first few minutes.  After I rinsed it away, I was left with soft, glowing skin.  Try it.  Feel free to get creative and add yogurt, clay, and/or other ingredients you’re drawn to.

What are your favorite facial concoctions?

Spring is Here, in All its Glory.

Happy Spring, lovelies!

I’ve been away from blogging for so long, focused on some great things:

• Writing a book 
• Working on consulting projects
• Preparing for a month-long trip to Brazil
• Dealing with daily life challenges
• Spring cleaning
• Making beauty potions, infusions, and teas
• Learning about herbs
• Spending time with friends and family 
• Rediscovering the joys of simplicity
• Taking yoga, zumba, and strength-training classes
• And so much more.

How about you?  What have you been up to lately?

Stay tuned for some big announcements.  So excited to share.

What I’m Loving Right Now

I’ve been away from blogging lately due to a death in the family and other things surrounding it.  However, I am back (before leaving town for a while) to do a post on three things that I’m loving lately:

Pangea Organics‘ Matcha Green Tea Masque is pricey as far as masques go (ranging from $30-$40 on most sites), but when I’m not in a mixtress mood, this is my go to for soft, glowing skin.  It’s filled with green tea, wildcrafted seaweed, and other skin-replenishing powerhouse ingredients.

Amrita Aromatics and Apothecary’s Dreaming Goddess Nourishing Night Cream is divine.  It is the creamiest and most decadent cream I have ever used, and I really mean that.  It’s rich without being greasy and its lovely, floral jasmine, chamomile and lavender scent blends beautifully with a few drops of my facial oil serums that have rose and jasmine overtones, though I could use it alone.  I love it.  I tend to use it at night, but when used sparingly it’s great for daytime use, especially in these colder months.  I received this as part of a herbal membership subscription, and while it was once available in her shop, it is sold out now, and for good reason!

Graham Gardens‘ Ipanema Scrubby Body Salts (pictured on the left) are simply heavenly.  They provide the perfect scrub factor and moisture quotient in warmer months and the cocoa-rosewood scent lingers.  In the winter I add a little sweet almond oil for a bit more moisture. [Photo courtesy of http://www.simplebites.net

 

What are you loving right now?

Winter Skin Care

What are you doing this winter to care for your skin?  With drier air and colder temperatures, we need to do all that we can to care for our skin.  Here are some habits that I find helpful in nourishing my skin, both face and body.

Bathing.  I’m taking baths once a week now, with Epsom, Sea, or Himalayan Salts, Baking Soda, Neom Organics Bath Oils as well as with my Herbal and Floral Soaks (though not usually all at once).  My skin thanks me every time.

Creams, Facial Oils, and Serums.  At night I use a lovely Jasmine facial cream by Amrita Apothecary, mixed with a few drops of facial oil (homemade or made by other artisans).  This does wonders to deeply restore my skin overnight.  In the daytime I use facial serums with sunscreen properties as well as facial oils to keep my skin moist and protected.

Holistic Self-Care.  Drinking water regularly and eating water-rich foods like fruits, salads, and the occasional sorbet bring much needed moisture inside and out.

Although there are other things I do, these are the main ones that serve my skin.  What do you do?

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Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  I had a lovely holiday break filled with many social events, reading, yoga, Zumba, long bath soaks, home and office organizing, massages, and movies.  In Nov. and Dec. I started a herbal apothecary group membership and an herbal certification course.  I’m really looking forward to continuing to build this blog, and to all that is in store for 2013.

So, what have you been up to these days?  I’m getting back into my work schedule now.  I am still loving creating my own products as well as enjoying recent purchases from holiday sales.  My big batch of herbal toothpaste that I made back on Nov. 3rd is still going strong; I have at least enough to last me until the end of January.  Ah, the joys of making your own.  Freedom, versatility, and constant improvement with each batch.  Can it get any better?

I’m wishing each and every one of you a prosperous year filled with endless discoveries, transformations, and true happiness.

Giveaway Winner

Hello Everyone!  Our giveaway winner is Trish.  She and Jean correctly guessed three ingredients of the special balm that I made, but with the random generator, Trish won.  

This balm is called Spirit of the Ancients and incorporates the following ingredients: 

Lovingly made with Organic Virgin

Coconut Oil; Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Myrrh,

Frankincense and Benzoin Resins; Raw Beeswax;

Organic Raw Honey; and Essential Oils (Frankincense,

Myrrh and Lavender).

This balm can be used for cuts, bruises, skin care, as well as for meditation.  Enjoy, Trish, and thanks to everyone who entered!

Giveaway

It’s time for a winter giveaway!  I recently made a very special moisturizing balm, perfect for meditation, skin care, and moisturizing.  If you can guess at least 4 ingredients in this winter balm, you will be the winner!

Leave a comment below with your guesses.  A winner will be chosen January 3rd and the balm will ship by January 10th.  Good luck!

Note: I am taking a blog vacation until January 3rd.  Happy Holidays to those who celebrate, and Happy New Year to all!

1/3/2013 UPDATE: So far, no one has guessed four ingredients in the balm.  Many have come close, though, with 3 ingredients named.  I will leave comments open for a few more entries tonight and will randomly choose a winner from those who guessed at least 3 of the ingredients.  Happy New Year!

Holiday Nighttime Brew

If you like warm herb-infused milk, try this blend.  I’ve been drinking this as part of my bedtime ritual.

• 1/2 cup rose petals
• 1/3 cup chamomile
• 2 tsp. turmeric
• 2 vanilla beans, cut up
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken into chips
• 2 tsp. saffron
• 1 tsp. nutmeg

Add about 1 tablespoon of the blend to 1 cup of organic almond milk. Warm on low for 10 mins. and stir every few minutes.  Strain and enjoy.

A perfect drink for the holiday season and for winter in general.

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Holiday Gift Guide, Part III

Here are some lovely gifts for children and families:

Bamboo Children of the World Magnets would make a nice gift. By Graphic Spaces Wood, $36.

This Fancy Babies Cloth Doll is adorable. By Fancy Naturals, $40.

This custom family tree plant or flower stake is cute and perfect for a family with a garden and several green thumbs. By N S Family Trees, $16.

Lemon Berry Sweet Leaf Tea is sugarless and tasty, perfect for kids and adults alike. By Wild Root Botanicals, $9.

This wooden Bowling Set is well-made, sturdy and toxin-free. by Little Sapling Toys, $26.

This personalized ornament would make a nice keepsake. By Clementine Jayne, $17.

Would they like a liquid soap that everyone can use? This large 14-oz. size Baby Bird Head-to-Toe Wash is scented with lavender and sweet orange, a pleasing mix to (almost) anyone. Organic and natural by Flying Bird Botanicals, $18

What are your gift ideas for families and children?