Moved!

Hi All! We moved last weekend and are still getting settled in. I need some more time to get things together. I’m looking forward to doing some blog posts on natural skin care maintenance, since I’ve learned so much these past 3 years, as well as some reviews of new products that I have tried, plus an introduction to my own. Stay tuned!

Moving

Hi All!  I’m in the process of moving and thus my shop is closed until July.  So much going on…more updates soon.  In the meantime, enjoy the sunshine, wherever you may be!

Tips for Staying Pretty in the Sun

Summer Fun!

I’m happy that it’s finally spring and almost summer here.  The flowers have bloomed and the air is warm and inviting.  I want to remind my readers to continue to care for your skin in the summer just as much as you would in the winter.  Here are some tips for staying pretty in the sunshine:

1. Wear sunscreen.  It’s true; many sunscreens on the market have chemicals we’d want to avoid.  I’ve had good success with the natural sunscreen at JoyfulGirlNatural.  It’s all natural and doesn’t irritate my sensitive facial skin.  Try her Summer Travel Pack with Sunscreen, Insect Repellent, After-sun Spray and Skin Conditioning Spray.

2.  Avoid sun at peek hours of the day.  This usually means doing gardening, yard work, and other outdoor activities before 10 am or after 5 pm.  This protects skin from the strongest rays of sun and keeps you cooler and drier, too.

3.  Eat lots of fruit and veggies.  Produce, some more than others, have high water content.  Eat fruits such as apples, watermelon and grapes and veggies such as carrots, salads, and corn to keep your body (and skin) extra hydrated and full of nutrition.

These are just a few tips–what are your own tips for staying healthy, beautiful and hydrated?

News & Feature

Hello everyone!

I have been away but for a good reason: I’ve accepted a new position as Visiting Professor & Director of Research & Learning at a new University.  I’m very excited about this, but this means packing, moving, finding a new place, and strategizing the completion of my studies along with my hubby’s.  We are all too excited, and look forward to this new chapter in our lives.

Also, Renee at What Mommies Need is hosting a giveaway of one of my Spa Sets for Mother’s Day!  Check out her blog for a chance to win:

http://www.whatmommiesneed.com/

Soaps!

I can’t wait until I have time to make my cold-processed soaps and other goodies!  It been such a busy time, but at least I have been able to make some whipped shea butters and salves.  I have many more products still in their development and testing phases (like a new body mist that smells sooo good)…when I have time to photograph I will post them.

In the meantime, here are my favorite soaps (in no particular order).  I was inspired to do this posting by Amina.

Rose Clay Goat Milk Soap by Rose of Sharon Acres – so creamy & it smells like Jasmine & Ylang Ylang!  Monica and her family’s soaps were among my first exposure to natural soaps (other than Dudu Osun and African Black Soaps) over two years ago now.  They make great tooth soap, too!

Lemon Geranium by Urban Eden – smells absolutely heavenly and such a big bar.  It is a moisturizing soap and its scent blooms beautifully in the shower.

Organic Neroli Rose by Green Springs Body Works – all-organic 7 oz. soap bar with a soft scent.  It’s also very moisturizing with the added Goat’s Milk.  They have great face food, too!

Bahama Bliss by Soap for Goodness Sake – this soap is a mix of Sweet Orange, Vanilla & Ylang Ylang.  It smells divine and lasts a very long time!

Scarborough Fair by Chagrin Valley Soaps – one of the nicest herbal soaps that I’ve used!  Plus they have very nice shampoo bars and other blends.  I’ve just ordered the Cucumber Lime Yogurt Facial Soap along with some other samples to try out!

Vanilla de Madagascar by Sea Sprite Soaps – one of the best vanillas I’ve smelled, and such creamy, bubbly lather!  In general, I love Steph’s soaps at Sea Sprite Soaps.

Amber Crush by Alchemic Muse – this is a true amber aroma made from real amber resin!  It was a limited edition for Valentine’s Day, but I’ve asked Karen to bring it back and she is!  The scent is divine and the soap is sooo buttery smooth and moisturizing!

Blue Chamomile by Soapalaya Soaps – what a calming blend!  I love the color, design and decadent lather of this soap!  This is one of her “blended creme” soaps, an innovative combination of cold-processed soap with a natural melt and pour vegetable glycerin base.  The resulting texture is divine.  Plus Alex makes great soaps in general.

As you can see, I love soaps.  I particularly love cold-processed bar soaps and rarely use liquid soaps – other than Dr. Bronner’s Organic Almond Castile Soap and Aubrey Organics’ Luxurious Body Wash, both of which I use for my face.  I have a soap stash bigger than a rational person would have,  but this is my way of indulging and creating a haven to wash the cares of the day away.  What are some of your favorite soaps (bars or liquid)?  And when did you first become turned on to all-natural, handmade soaps?

Spring

Spring has sprung, or has it?  Yesterday I was floored when I saw that the steady rain began to form into snow.  There is a light coating of snow on the ground and on the roofs of the houses on my street as I type this message, but the sun is coming out to melt that madness away.  Hopefully there will be no more surprises like this and spring will be here to stay.

Here is some spring inspired eye candy from Etsy.  Click on the picture for the item’s web listing.  Enjoy and have a wonderful, spring-filled week!

Spring Easter Eggs Art Set

Vintage Robin Eggs Earrings

Moss Rose Seeds

Yellow Rose Drop Earrings

Pale Pink Scarf

Earth Therapeutics

For several months now, I have been using Earth Therapeutics’ bath accessories.  I especially love the exfoliating hydro towel!  It works well with body wash and with bar soap.  Most of the time, I use natural bar soaps, and this towel really boosts lather and makes the bars last longer. I have used other exfoliating towels that I’ve found at Rite-Aid and other stores, but this one seems to be the strongest and most durable.

I have also used the natural volcanic foot stones with great success.  This foot stone actually does a great job of exfoliating and renewing your feet, unlike some of the grayish pumice stones that I’ve come across. 

If you’re looking for ways to enhance the effectiveness of your bath and body care, check out these two products.  They are effective, last a long time and are available at most Whole Food stores and online at Amazon.com.  What products do you use to enhance your showering and bathing experiences?

Changes

Hi everyone!  Lots of things are taking place behind the scenes.  For one, I’m busy-busy-busy writing away (I am a PhD student first, after all).  I’m also doing a lot of product experimentation and research on product making.  This is taking longer than expected, and sometimes I don’t have the time to post a new product (i.e. aromatherapy blends) that I’m working on.  I will get back to it, perhaps in late-April, when there’s more time.

In the meantime, I’ll try to post more regularly so that you can actually come here and say hello to me, LOL.  I hope you all are doing well and having a wonderful life.  That is really what living’s all about.

New Product!

Hi!!! It’s been a long time since I last posted. I reopened the shop on Sunday. Lots of family things are going on, and I’ve been working on restocking and developing new products, one of which is my Salve:

Treat yourself to this luscious, organic salve! I absolutely love this salve for dry skin anywhere. It is almost 60% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, perfect for sensitive, dry and irritated skin. With added Unrefined Shea Butter, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, and Essential Oils of Lavender, Bergamot, and Vanilla, what you will experience is a healing synergistic blend of oils with a light, refreshing herbal scent.

I tend to have chapped lips throughout the year. When I apply the tiniest amount of this balm to my lips they are instantly refreshed and moisturized. And when I use it overnight, I wake up with new lips!

Use this salve for:
Cuts and scrapes
Dry hands and feet
Deep tissue massage
Cuticle moisturizer
Skin & diaper rash
And so much more.

Ingredients: Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Unfiltered Beeswax, Unrefined Shea Butter, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Essential Oil Blend.

Packaged in a 2 oz. tin. Purchase it at my Etsy site: http://scentualsoundtracks.etsy.com

Changes

Hi Everyone! I have had to close my shop for a little over two weeks as we restock and get new products ready to share with you. Today I purchased many new ingredients as well as restocks that I needed; stay tuned for wonderful lovelies. I will also hold a spring sale starting March 15th–all exciting stuff on the way!

Have a good weekend! I’ll be back to share more with you soon.