Sunday, May 22, 2011

After Bath Oil

Since I've moved to Colorado I have had extremely dry skin. Sometimes lotion just isn't enough and I need to use something more. My solution was to create an after bath oil that I could apply to moist skin and last all day.

Recipe:
  • 2 parts olive oil
  • 1 part grapeseed oil
  • 1 part jojoba oil
  • 10 drops peppermint eo
  • 10 drops rosemary eo
I mixed it all together in a bottle with a pump. I use peppermint and rosemary because I can always use a good pick-me-up in the morning, but any would work. I rub this on right after the shower before I dry off. It helps keep the moisture in and I don't feel greasy.

I chose olive oil because it is simply amazing for the skin and you can read about some of its benefits here. Grapeseed oil is lightweight and provides your skin with vitamin e. It is also thought to help repair delicate eye tissue and supporting blood vessel strength. I used jojoba oil because it is similar to human sebum and balancing for the skin. Jojoba is also very stable and doesn't go rancid like many other oils.

I have recently read about an oil cleansing method using oils. I think I might give it a try to see if I like it. I'll let you know what I think.

What kind of fragrance would you want in an after bath oil?

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Peanut Butter Pancakes

I got these for breakfast. These were so good, I decided to share the recipe. I didn't use any syrup, just butter. I think they might be good with jelly too!

Peanut Butter Pancakes:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1Tbsp sugar
  • 2tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup milk
  • 4 slices crumpled bacon (I didn't add this)

Combine dry ingredients. Beat peanut butter, butter, and eggs until creamy. Add dry ingredients and milk, blend until smooth. (Stir in bacon-again I didn't do this) Make the pancakes as usual! They don't get really fluffy like most pancakes, but they tasted delicious!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Corona del Mar Won

Corona won the Tour de  Turtles! She hasn't transmitted a signal since February 18, but she traveled a grand total of 2,382 km! See her trip here.

If you don't remember, I got an adopted sea turtle for Christmas and you can read about it here!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Half-Price Soap Sale!

I have some bars of soap that I need to clear out to make room for my summer inventory, so I am putting those bars on sale! You can get some of your favorite Honu soaps for half off (click here)! You have to hurry though, I have very limited quantities remaining.

Friday, May 13, 2011

SOAP Panel, Please

Well, it is time for another SOAP panel and I'm giving it another try.

What is my favorite Bramble Berry product? Well, I'm going to be totally cheesy and give you a movie quote; "I could no sooner pick a favorite star from the heavens." Anyone know who said it? Oh yeah, it was Drew Barrymore's character Danielle from Ever After. But, that is way off topic.

Favorite Fragrance Oil: Dark Rich Chocolate FO Why do I like it? It is delicious. I haven't made anything with just that fragrance (although I'm sure it would be wonderful), it blends well with several other fragrances. For example, for the Soap Swap, I made Dark Chocolate Pumpkin soap and blended it with the Pumpkin Spice FO. I also made a special soap for a friend and mixed it with a coffee scent and it was the perfect trip to the coffeehouse, without the calories or overpriced drinks. Works great in CP soap!

Favorite Essential Oil: Hungarian Lavender EO This is not like grandma's lavender! It is soft and floral, but not powdery and old lady-like. It sticks well in CP soap and is long-lasting in lotion.

Wishlist: Baltic Birch 36 Bar Wooden Mold Talk about making things simple! You can also get a different dividers to make smaller size soaps. No more cutting, just pour the soap and put the dividers in!

Bramble Berry is one of my favorite suppliers (and not just because I hope they pick me). One of the things that I look forward to with every order is my free samples of different fragrances. They are perfect for trying before buying! I have made small samples of soap using several of them and I would be so excited if I was picked to help them test possible fragrances!

Check out their Facebook page or the Soap Queen blog to see the results