These are what I have been busy with with whatever little time I have left after coming home from the other life I live – a regular 9 to 5 full time job. And I can say, it’s pretty fun. Yeah, as you can see I am so crazy about soaps. The natural, handcrafted ones. Anyway, here’s what I have been sneaking off to do on my weekends. More to do this weekend!

Share the Love,

Chelsea

Calendula (also commonly known as  Marigold) is one of my all time favorite herbs and one that is ALWAYS available in my cabinet. It is a beautiful flowering plant that is part of the daisy family.

I may have already mentioned that I suffer from eczema. I’ve had it since I was a teenager (that’s too many years ago to count it out for you). For the most part it has kept to my hands, but there have been a couple instances where it was on my face and arms. I was given all kinds of creams and steroids for it and have even tried to manage it with diet. It only got worse and worse, now I have permanent scar tissue on my hands.

A few years ago, I discovered Calendula. I read that it was anti-inflammatory, astringent, antibacterial, aids with digestion and reproductive health and has anti-cancer properties. Also, according to several other blogs the beneficial properties of this magnificent plant just go on and on.

I began making a salve with a Calendula infused mixture of Rice Bran Oil and Olive Oil and Beeswax. I have been using this recipe ever since. It has soothed my eczema, softened my feet and hands, soothed sunburns, and helped heal owies! I haven’t been stung by a bee since I was a child, but Calendula is supposed to work wonders for bees stings too.

I have friends who have used this as a baby balm, and on their own stretch marks with wonderful results. Every day, this plant amazes me more and more.

I’ve just begun offering this Miracle Balm via my Etsy Store.

Folk names of this plant include: Bride of the Sun, Drunkard, Goldes, Holigolde, Husbandmans Dial, Marybud, Marygold, Mary Gowles, Ruddes, Ruddles, Spousa Solis, Summer’s Bride

Happy Earth Day!

Many of the products we sell at Ecru are eco-friendly but we are so excited to share a new line that just arrived at Ecru for Earth Day – Hand in Hand!

What first caught our eye about these lovely soaps ($11 each) is the stunning packaging (made with 30% recycled material & printed with vegetable ink) then we were intrigued with the fresh scents (palm oil-free,vegetable based, vegan, biodegradable, gluten-free, paraben-free, petrochemical-free and cruelty-free) Lavender, Orange  Blossom and White Tea.

Finally, we discovered that these soaps are eco-friendly (50 square feet of rain forest is saved for every bar) and support a great cause - Hand in Hand donates bars of soap to children in the developing world to help prevent water-related illnesses.

Each year 5 million children die in the developing world due to water-related illness and nearly half of those deaths could have been prevented by hand washing alone.  So far Hand in Hand has donated over 65,000 bars to orphan children in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  

Read more here

In honor of Earth Day 04/22/13

Buy one bar of Hand and Hand soap  

 and get the 2nd bar at half price!

A perfect little gift for someone or treat yourself!

The Souad Cosmetic Co. is a cosmetic manufacturer/distributor marketing our own proven quality  skin care products under our own  ”SOUAD” label. We are a direct marketing company. We sell directly to the consumer, through our unique home based small business opportunity, who can purchase any of our products online from the convenience of their own home and we have them delivered there as well. The ”SOUAD” skin care products are not sold in stores and can only be purchased directly from the company through our authorized member/affiliate distributors.

If you ever been confused about finding skin care products that best suit your skin type, then you are not alone. With the thousands of beauty products available in the market today, most of us are left with little choice but to keep trying new products or trust a handful of brands. However, for customers who act smart before investing in skin and beauty products, the Souad Cosmetic Co. offers a complete quality skin care product line together with guidance of how to use them as well. With a wide variety of information available, you will be able to find products that match your skin type while getting the most value for your money.

Tackling a beauty problem head on takes confidence and creativity. Fortunately you have
discovered the Souad Cosmetic Co., where you will find both in a hurry. Our beauty experts tried and true tips and tricks will help you get the confidence you’ll need to tackle any skin care issue. The Souad Cosmetic Co.. skin care line has something for everyone no matter your skin type or skin condition. Our amazing formulated products will satisfy any condition you might have and rectify it to its original beauty. The Souad Cosmetic Co. has a complete line of quality creams, lotions and serums that are not only affordable THEY WORK! They deliver immediate results.

Say goodbye to acne , dark spots, blemishes and dry skin because with Souad Cosmetic Co.’s skin care tips your skin will look healthy and radiant in no time. We teach you new and exciting ways of nourishing and protecting your skin. Check out our categories and find the right skin care products for you. Read the regimen suggested as well as the ingredients contained inside. We have a solution for all skin conditions. Try some of our skincare quality products and see the results as well as the soothing effect on your face as its working to reshape the beautiful YOU.

If you have any questions please send us an e-mail and one or our expert technicians will be more than happy to answer any of them. Customer service is our highest priority. Try our products. Try our service. You will never be sorry with either and will be totally satisfied with not only our products but the attention you will receive as well. All ”SOUAD” products are not available in stores and can be purchased from any of our authorized members or affiliates. So why wait any longer. Become a ‘SOUAD’ GIRL NOW!

It seems sort of odd to me that I’m posting about achieving softer skin for spring and summer when there is a few feet of snow on the ground where I live. But, it is nearing the end of April , and I am confident that spring WILL get here soon.

We all start showing a little more skin once the warmer weather arrives; softer skin can often make you feel more confident! I wanted to share with  you guys a few awesome products I’ve found and tips I have for achieving softer skin as we approach the spring and summer months.

Enjoy the video:

Thanks for reading and watching! Products are listed in the bottom bar of the video.

Love,

Lauren

[DISCLAIMER: I tried to get as many scientific facts involved as I could, but some of the information I provide might be simply a myth. This is just my take on the topic. I'm only trying to entertain my readers and inspire them to make the most out of their beauty regime.]

I defined 2 periods of time with really different consequences in our bodies. From the waxing moon to the full moon, and from the wanning moon to the new moon. Let’s see what differences there are!

Waxing moon/ First quarter – Full moon

The skin’s ability to absorb increases, so it’s the perfect time for pampering! I recommend oil baths and massages since they leave your skin nourished and glowy. This is the best time to experiment with aromatherapy and natural oils!

It’s also the best moment to deeply moisturize your skin. Just take any rich balm/ salve and rub it in the dry patches in your body to soften them up.

Keep your body lotions and potions handy! Hand and body creams will be your best friends at this point.

And don’t forget the face! I recommend the dramatically different moisturizing lotion because it deeply nourished the skin, but the lightweight, fluid texture leaves it comfortably matte. You can also give yourself a nice facial during this time.

I also wanted lo let you know that during this period of time (lasts a couple of weeks- check out this month’s lunar calendar here) the body’s pain perception increases, so this isn’t really the best time for waxing/ plucking!

Wanning moon/ Last quarter – New moon

While the moon is “restoring” itself, your body is doing exactly the same thing. This is the best time for an internal cleanse, s0 drink a lot of water to remove any toxins in your body. Green tea is also a great option because of the anti-oxidants and its uplifting properties! This is also the best time to start a new diet, so if you’re planning on switching up your eating habits, this is the time to give it a try!

During these couple of weeks, your skin is renewing itself as well. New skin cells are on their way, so this is the time to detox/ purify the skin on your face. This is the best time to try out mud/ clay facials. Also, remember to exfoliate to keep up with the renewing process!

And the same thing goes for your body! Remember to exfoliate on a regular basis (once a week, maybe) with a yummy smelling scrub! This would also be the time for clay/ mud treatments or body peelings at your local spa!

Finally, during this period of time the body’s perception of pain decreases and the hair re-grow slows down, so it’s the perfect time to get waxed, lasered, plucked…

So those are my little tips to make the most out off your beauty regime! Remember to check out the calendar, I’ll link it again here. Thank you so much for reading, feel free to leave any thoughts, suggestions or questions in the comment box. Love you, sweeties! xx ♥♥♥

-lulu

OPEN~Round 7: Rumble in the Jungle BNR~TOTAL SALES=149, TODAY=2 by AmazonWomen BNR Curator on Etsy.

OPEN~Round 7: Rumble in the Jungle BNR~TOTAL SALES=148, TODAY=1

★To play in our jungle, you must spend at least $5 after coupon, before shipping.
★CALL OUT IN CAPS, wait for curator’s response, purchase, and then post your transaction link(s), amount spent, and coupon.

Will you survive the Amazon jungle BNR? We have wonderful shops to get lost in, many of which offer discounts with the coupon code AMAZON. Even though there is NO SHOPPING DURING PREVIEW, there is still much fun to be had! We will open for shopping on Saturday night (April 20th) at 7pm EST. Your fabulous hosts for this jungle party will be FeedYourNeedDesigns, MoonspellCreations, and WhitePickets.

THE PROTECTOR: If it is the Protector you seek,
finding him will be more challenging this week.
To possess him, you must first solve Polly’s riddle:

Look far, near, and in the middle
To determine the “theme” behind my Rumble in the Jungle board.
Do so correctly and claim your Protector reward.

Now, search away and post your best guess
to convert your spot from BNR to BNS.

The Protector may be used in either this round or in a future round. (Any shoppers purchasing from a protected shop will be featured in the next round and be given an additional future round.) Since there are no sales during preview, now’s the time to go out and solve my riddle to win THE PROTECTOR!

PIRANHA PIT: Somewhere in this jungle is a hidden hazard – a piranha pit! Should someone purchase from the shop containing the piranha pit, a feeding frenzy will ensue, causing the disappearance of a row of shops on the board. Don’t worry, they will be replaced with shops from our carryover list. Also, if your shop is destroyed by the piranhas, you will be featured in a future round.

SHARE THE VINE: this round, if you purchase from FeedYourNeed, Moonspell, or WhitePickets, not only will you be featured immediately on this board, you will also earn a spot on next week’s board as well! In addition, you will get to share your vine with ANY Etsy shop of your choosing who will be featured in the next round with you. That’s how we pay it forward jungle style!

SOME GREAT DEALS UP THERE! CHECK THEM OUT!

COUPON CODES:
FeedYourNeedDesigns: AMAZON for 15% off
MoYuenCreations: BIRTHDAY for 20% off
AChildofWhimsy: AMAZON for 15% off
CWChocolatesandGifts: CWYOURCHOCOLATESTORE for 10% off
SiriusFun: AMAZON15 for 15% off
WhitePickets: WHITEPICKETS15 for 15% off
TheMaineCoonCat = AMAZONGIRLS15 for 15% off
FrontRange: Mothersday2 = 10% off
HahnMade: HM010 = 10% off
MoonspellCrafts: Shop is 60% off most items! No coupon needed. If you want to buy something that isn’t on sale, convo for a code!
HayLofts: SHAMROCK for 15% off (unless Becca decided to switch it off)
MEDDYWV – HORSES10 FOR 10% OFF
Cam188: TaxDay for 40% off
CelestialSoy: AMAZON for 10% off or SPRING13 for 15% off

Naturelle Hemp Hydrating Conditioner.
Main ingredient: Hemp oil.
Why I love it: It works. My hair is so soft and shiny. And the smell is so amazing!
Best part: Only $5 at Ross.

Not so best part: Squeezing it out is a pain. It’s a struggle actually. Probably because the product is so thick.

I can sniff this all day… It smells like lavender,  so fresh and earthy…it’s so relaxing.

http://shine.yahoo.com/healthy-living/anti-aging-secret–it-s-in-your-diet-192340608.html

By Lylah M. Alphonse, Senior Editor, Yahoo! Shine | Healthy Living – 17 hours ago

Wednesday morning. A beautiful cool morning with clouds in the sky.

Axe Chilled facial wash/V05 conditioner
Shave Secret
Barbasol Soothing Aloe
Astra Superior Platinum (1)
Edwin Jagger DE89L razor
Witch Hazel
Captain’s Choice Bay Rum aftershave

For a content BBS!

I’ve been meaning to trying shimming the blade, but I need to get a new pair of scissors first! In the meantime, another perfectly good shave, smooth, and my face feels refreshed and comfortable.

With Barbasol I’m finding I’m using my brush less and less, don’t think I need to use my brush anymore with Barbasol. When I get my new C.O. Bigelow cream I’ll be using the brush again. I just found a nice ceramic bowl at a thrift store that should do nicely for mixing lather.

My Schick blades (from Amazon) should be here on Thursday, perhaps even today, and then I try my Schick E2 razor for the first time! I’m really looking forward to that. Just realized I have to clean that razor first.

Aces!

The following text was found on a forum called Badger and Blade. Written in 2010, by “theturducken” it is a great tribute to Barbasol. To me, it reads like a poem.

“After two years of wetshaving experimenting, countless hours on badger and blade, lonely nights of lather practicing, four different brushes, five creams and seven different soaps, I have come to learn one thing…..

Barbasol works the best out of all of them FOR ME.

The key words in that statement are FOR ME.

I wash my face in the shower with Nivea facewash, then put on barbasol and leave it on for the rest of my shower. I get out of the shower and shave with my HD and a crystal blade, wtg, atg, atg, oil touch up.

My face is smooth and comfortable, the clubman doesn’t sting a bit! I like the smell (clean and manly) and it appreciate the fact it is what my father uses and my Grandfather used (maybe its genetics and the Barbasol works good on our family?) Simple is good for me.

I have tried tabac, vdh delux and select, williams, five different mama bears soaps, pre de provance.

Creams I’ve tried – AOS Sandalwood, Musgo, Proraso, TOBS Almond, Rose, Avacado, Nancy Boy, TOMS Candula, Trader Joe’s Mango, Nivea Sensitive, Nivea xtremem comfort, Foamy Red, BLue, Green and Barbershop.

I’ve used a black handle superspeed, Feather portable, and HD.

I’ve used every kind of blade imaginable.

What always gets me a good bbs is Barbasol Red, and an HD with a Crystal.

It works so well for me that the brush and soap/cream route just maybe be left behind.

I know I am in the minority, but thats ok….it has been a great journey.”

It’s not widely known that 80% of what we put onto our skin is absorbed and processed by our body. Active ingredients such as Dimethicone, Triglycerides, Cetearath-20, Cocamidopropyl Betaine and Propylene Glycol may be effective, but at what price? Joshua (PANGEA ORGANICS FOUNDER) has always been committed to producing body and skin care that is packed with organic herbs, plants and fruits that are 30% more full of anti-oxidants than non-organic. 90% of Pangea ingredients are actually anti-oxidants! This is a reassuring fact in a country where the FDA does not require health studies or pre-market testing on ingredients.
Pangea is good for the earth and good for your skin!! can you say that about your beauty products? To visit or purchase: These products smell amazing!! I use them everyday as well on my children. It’s like the most beautiful scented experience you can imagine! Your skin is so worth the care.
To visit or purchase or be part of the ecocentric beauty movement:
http://www.pangeaorganics.com/carolinedwulet

Thankfully, one of the first events that I had to attend post-Korea was Crabtree & Evelyn’s Somerset Meadow launch. Now, this brand is all about relaxation, home indulgence and even some aromatherapy, so it was perfect for nursing my bruised and wounded wallet body. No, I’m serious – I walked so much and carried so many shopping bags that I can feel firmer thigh muscles and biceps.

A beautiful arch welcoming us into the store.

Being coerced into taking a photo under the arch with Crabtree & Evelyn’s Yuping (who also used to be from The Face shop!) – we click really well (and check out that ooh-la-la outfit!) -nod of approval-

Woahhhh so many bloggers… but what’s that I see? A familiar face Sheradine, who was from Shiseido but has now joined Crabtree as well.

Me stuffing my face whilst I patiently wait for my turn to get a photography spot in front of the products.

And voila! I managed to jostle some space. The Somerset Meadow collection is a fruity-floral fragrance that’s both calming and refreshing at the same time. Ironic? Go smell it and you’ll know what I mean.

There are a total of 5 SKUs in this range, which is from their Fantasy collection and supposed to invoke the British imagery of running across beautiful meadows. Can I do it Gangnam Style? lol.

“And over there is a giant gingerbread man house,” says Cindy (not). Tsk. The stuff that goes on in my head should really be kept to myself. haha.  Cindy’s actually introducing the other ranges to these 2 bloggers – Valerie and Peggy.

A special shower gel, body lotion and hand cream set packed nicely in a box that looks like a book.

Somerset Meadow Perfume Gel – $25

The star of the range – a perfume gel. Basically, it’s a gel (similar to those you apply to your skin) and you just rub it into your skin. It is absorbed pretty quickly and doesn’t leave a sticky residue. What’s more, it’s 12ml, so I’d totally carry this onboard a flight and overseas for trips.

The full-sized versions of the Bath and Shower Gel ($35) and Body Lotion ($40)

SPECIAL PROMOTION: From 19 April to 19 May, you can get the Bath & Shower Gel (200ml) + Scented Body Lotion (200ml) + EDT (60ml) for just $88 (U.P. $135)

The Somerset Meadow Hand Therapy 100g – $33

It’s really quickly absorbed as well (either that, or my hands are too dried and shrivelled from the blistering Korean winds)

My fellow beauty bloggers hard at work taking photos.

Me and a plethora of photos taken under the floral arch. You complained that I didn’t have enough photos of myself – here you go, 4 in a row so you can feast your eyes upon my gorgeousness. hahaha. Taken (from L-R) with: Maureen from Misstamchiak, Isabelle from Miss Parn Parn and Roseanne from Roseannetangrs.

Here are more special offers from Crabtree & Evelyn.

It’s time to do your tri-annual filial piety duty (with the others being CNY and her birthday)

As you know, I love finding goods on Etsy.  Today, Ashley, from The Gnarly Whale is going to tell you all about their awesome store and products!

Here is our aloe plant, ready to bloom.

1) The first, and most obvious, use for the Aloe Vera plant is to help with sunburns, minor burns and cuts.  It’s what everyone uses it for and buys it for.  Stores even sell the containers of it (very modified & chemical laden versions, anyway) for consumers coming back from beach vacations burned to a crisp and looking for some relief.  If you’d rather not buy the store bought kind, try growing your own plant and get the benefits in their purest form.

2) Aloe Vera can also heal blisters and insect bites by swabbing a bit over the affected area.

3) Aloe Vera can fade or prevent stretch marks, freckles, and age spots.

4) It can be used on hemorrhoids, too! The anti-inflammation properties that make the gel so great for things like burns and blisters can also be taken advantage of for those pesky, irritating hemorrhoids. Just break off a small piece of the plant and apply it to the irritated area and let the healing properties start working.

5) Use Aloe Vera to sooth razor burns and you’ll get a lot of relief.

6) It can also be used as eye-makeup remover, and is perfect for the dry, sensitive skin around your eyes.

7) Aloe can be used on other skin ailments such as acne and eczema by applying Aloe gel to the affected area 2-3 times a day.  It helps sooth and heal these ailments with it’s cooling, moisturizing, and protecting properties.

8) Eliminate dandruff by adding some Aloe Vera juice to your shampoo or conditioner.

These are just some of the ways you can use Aloe Vera on your skin.  There are also many other health and beauty benefits of using Aloe Vera! Some of these include:

9) Asthma relief can be attained by boiling asthma leaves and water.  The vapors help end an asthma attack with their anti-inflammatory properities.

10) You can also take Aloe internally to relieve many digestive issues such as heartburn, irregularity, stomach issues, and many other problems.  Take caution, though, that there are adverse effects (including diarrhea) from taking Aloe Vera that can get worse with prolonged use.

11) Aloe Vera is also great during cold and flu season because of all the amazing vitamins it contains, including A, B, C, & E.

12) Take advantage of the Vitamin B complexes that help boost your energy, too!

13) Aloe Vera also has anti-fungal properties, making it a great treatment for yeast infections.  You can take it internally or apply it directly to the infected area.

14) Some researchers have found that Aloe Vera juice is great for weight loss and control of Type 2 diabetes, because it lowers blood sugar.

15) Soothe an ear ache by adding a few drops of aloe vera gel to your ear.  You’ll experience instant relief.

These are just some of the more common uses for the Aloe Vera plant, but they are certainly not all of the uses for this amazing plant.  If you are not currently growing your own Aloe Vera plant, I highly recommend you make space in your garden (or even a pot on your patio!) for this “miracle plant.”  They are easy to grow and have so many uses.  Plus, with how easy it is to grow, it’s sort of silly to buy the stuff in the plastic bottles at the store!

It contained:

• Bath Bombs (A’s specialty)
• Bath Melts
• Milk Bath
• Sugar Scrub Cubes- these turned out great, we used some of my homemade purple passion soap and and then shook them in some sugar after cutting.

(All in cool jars I added some water slide decals to and added the animals to the lids)

• Soaps: Original, Cucumber Melon, Purple Passion, Superman and Peppermint Patty
• A Happy Hand Kit

I used some incredible artwork from  this AWESOME Etsy store to make all my labels. Overall I was really happy with how it turned out

]]> http://imagesinbloom.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/spice-market-soap/ Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:12:37 +0000 mephibashef http://imagesinbloom.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/spice-market-soap/ http://runningjules.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/the-hunt-for-better-skincare/ Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:00:07 +0000 runningjules http://runningjules.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/the-hunt-for-better-skincare/ My plan this year is to replace the products that I use when they run out with ‘better’ options. That means less chemicals, organic where possible and good for my sensitive skin. However, I still need things to work properly and I also don’t want to spend a fortune.

My first challenge was products for my face and body. I started my hunt on Google, hunting for new skincare brands to try. I found that there were plenty of them, but many weren’t available in high-street chemists. I don’t really want to have to go into town and hit the department stores to find the more luxury brands, and frankly I couldn’t afford them anyway. I’m just finishing maternity leave and I’m on a budget!

After doing some more research I came across a brand called Organic Surge.The company offers ‘Organic and Natural Beauty Products’, which sounded pretty good to me. I also liked the prices and the fact that it offered free UK delivery for spending over £20. The bundles caught my eye, as they seemed to offer good value for money and it meant I could try lots of products at once. I ordered the Nature’s Winter Wonder Bundle, which gave me shampoo, conditioner, bath foam, shower gel, body moisturizer and day cream. I also separately ordered a night cream, face wash and cleanser. Okay, so that’s a lot, but I got carried away!

The package came really quickly, so top marks for delivery service. I was surprised to find that an eco-friendly brand used so much packaging though! Lots of the products were individually wrapped in tissue paper and everything came in a massive box with hundreds of packing peanuts, which meant I had to hunt through it to find the goods! Still, I’ll keep it all for reusing in the future,

I’ve tried most of the products out now and have been quite pleased. The facial products in particular have been great. I was concerned about using a new type of skincare as I have sensitive skin, but the face wash and cleanser are really gentle. The creams are really rich so you don’t need to use much, but I can see a difference already. I think I might actually ‘glow’. The shampoo and conditioner don’t seem quite as effective as my usual brand, but they do the job, however I love, love, love the bath foam. It seems spicy and I couldn’t give up my bubbles! The shower gel smells of sugared almonds, which is okay – I might try a different flavour next time, but it works well.

All in all I am pleased that I stumbled across this range. I believe that it is stocked in Waitrose, but I was pleased with the speed of delivery anyway when I ordered online.

Fine out more about the brand on its website: http://www.organicsurge.com/. It’s also on Twitter @organicsurge

My next challenge is cleaning products, so any advice, let me know!