The perfect massage oil to make at home

 

I've made a lot of different massage oils, but this one in particular is one of my favorites.  I particularly enjoy the addition of the hazelnut oil as it is easily absorbed into the skin.  The aroma of this is very sensual and exotic.  Hope you all enjoy this as much as I do.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup hazelnut oil
cinnamon oil
orange oil
ylang ylang oil

Instructions:
Mix together a half-cup of olive oil and a half-cup of hazelnut oil in a bowl. Then add 10 drops of cinnamon oil, 10 drops of orange oil, and 20 drops of ylang ylang oil. Bottle the mixture immediately after blended, as essential oils evaporate quickly when exposed to the air. Store your massage oil in a glass container since the essential oils tend to break down plastic over time. Also, keep it away from heat and sunlight. All vegetable oils can go bad over time, but heat will make them go rancid rapidly so be sure to keep in a cool dry place. You may keep them in the refrigerator too.

DeShawnMarie.com

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

Lemon & Brown Sugar Body Scrub recipe to make at home

 

I wanted to share this recipe with my readers as it is very easy, but also because it is as good as any store bought scrubs.  This is a very nice body scrub, not too harsh.  Very nice on your skin.  I love the lemon and brown sugar combination it really gives it a nice natural aroma. To tell you the truth I just love it!!

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon of lemon
1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon of honey

Mix brown sugar and salt, then add the lemon juice, virgin coconut oil and honey, mix well.  There you have it a nice easy body scrub made just for you!

Keep in mind when making this fresh at home that you must use it quickly (within a couple of days) or store it in the fridge.  The coconut oil will solidify in the fridge so allow time to defrost when going to use it next.

DeShawnMarie.com

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

Making Lip Balm at Home

With this recipe you can find most of the items at your local Whole foods or health food store. This is a great idea to make for little giveaways for a party or shower. It's super easy and natural

• 1.5 oz of beeswax beads
• 1 oz of coconut oil
• 0.8 oz of sunflower oil
• 0.3 oz of lanolin
• 15 drops of Vitamin E oil
• 10 drops of Honey or honey flavored oil
• Small lip balm containers or tubes

Melt all the ingredients in microwave safe container such as a
glass measuring cup. Remove when the beeswax has melted.
Add flavor oil and color, if desired. Slowly pour into lip balm
containers or tubes. They will harden immediately. Label and seal.
This is a fun one to do with kids too!

DeShawnMarie.com

Tis the season to prepare

Photo above is my freshly made Perfect Rose soap that I have been packaging all week.

If you are a crafter you probably already understand from the title what this post is about.

Every year at this time I am busy, busy, busy preparing for the hectic holiday season ahead. I've never understood that whole Christmas in July sale stuff as I can barely prepare for the real Christmas in December. This time of year is the time in which I am making soap non-stop day and night. During August and September I practically package soap in my sleep so that my little golden boxed creations can make it to some one's stocking or under some one's Christmas tree this year. I've been doing this 12 years now and I still never feel prepared enough for the tidal wave of new fans that discover my creations every year from receiving them as gifts or by searching online for that special something to give to their loved ones.

Today I am making my Orange Vanilla soap and my whole house smells like creamsicles...Mmmmm another big part of why I love this time of year :-)


Due to all of the corporate greed and major financial mismanagement going on in this world there has been a movement to support handmade and the little guy like me. When grabbing those handmade holiday gifts this season remember all of us that prepared and worked all year long to bring these creations to you. We don't have big machinery, huge factories or 100's of employees, we bring you these creations from our hearts and our genuine desire to create them for you. As I sit here this morning tying bows on gifts to prepare, I have a smile on my face knowing some one is truly going to love receiving this as a gift this year. Some how from day to day that keeps me going.

The pure joy of creating and bringing something beautiful into the world with my own 2 hands for others gives me a satisfaction that is hard to put into words. I truly love what I do, but I couldn't love it without you and your support. A big thank you to all of you that support handmade and crafters this holiday season.

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

DeShawnMarie.com

My favorite herbal tea bath!

Here's a really nice and easy bath treat to make. I love bath teas as they really make you feel like you are bathing in nature. This is one of my favorite ones. You can substitute items to come up with your own special bath too.

2 tsp lavender flowers (dried)
2 tsp rose petals (dried)
1 tsp lemon balm (dried)
1 tsp rosemary (dried)
1 tsp spearmint (dried)
4 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops rose essential oil
1 drop patchouli essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and then place in small muslin bag. Tie tightly and place in hot running bath water.

You can scent it with any essential oils you would like, but this is my favorite combination for this tea. Have fun though, play around and come up with your own personal bath tea.

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

DeShawnMarie.com

How to make lotion bars at home

Moisturizing Lotion Bars
You're gonna love me for this recipe. These are my absolute favorite for the winter months and they are super easy to make.

4 ounces mango or shea butter
4 ounces beeswax
5 ounces liquid oil (jojoba or grapeseed are both excellent choices)
2 teaspoons of essential oil or fragrance oil

For those of you who have tried lotion bars before and made them with cocoa butter you know that it can have a strange smell. Well you are in luck as this lotion bar does not use cocoa butter so you can use any fragrance or essential oil that your heart desires and not have a chocolate over smell.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Melt the beeswax in a separate container and the butter/oil in another container. Add together, mix well, stir in any fragrance oil or essential oil you like. Then pour into containers, tupperware or rubbermaid works fine. Mixture will harden in approximately 1-2 hours. The cooler the mixture is upon pouring it, the less 'pocks' you'll get in the bars.

Enjoy!!

DeShawnMarie.com

We've got a winner!

That's right, we've got a winner!! I put all of the entries into a hat and drew out a name. I'm happy to announce the lucky winner is Sweet Water Gifts!! I've just sent her an announcement of her winnings on twitter. Congratulations Sweet Water Gifts. Who happens to be a jewelry designer from Texas. Now I'm curious which lovely soap she is going to want?? Hmmm waiting in anticipation ;-)

Thanks to all who entered. If you didn't win, don't worry there will be other chances in the future :-)


If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

DeShawnMarie.com

Homemade Sugar Scrub, another fun body product to make at home.

Salt scrubs can be a bit harsh on skin, sugar is actually a gentler exfoliant, which makes it better for an all-over body scrub. Use salt scrubs for the rougher parts of your body like elbows, heels and knees. This recipe is easy to make and fun to use.

Note: Only make what you will use within a couple of days otherwise it is best to add a natural preservative like grapefruit seed extract or even a synthetic preservative. It will go bad if you don't.


Super Sugar Scrub
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup oil (virgin olive oil or almond oil are recommended but any light, odorless oil you have on hand will work)
1 TBS baking soda (optional, but it makes it a little effervescent)
5 drops essential oil for fragrance or aroma therapy. We suggest citrus oil.

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl until thoroughly mixed, put into a sealed container to store. Use just before your next shower and enjoy your soft new skin. Be sure to scrub the tub or shower floor thoroughly - it will be slick from the oil and can be dangerous if you don't.

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

DeShawnMarie.com

Sweet Calming Chamomile....what to do with it?

My last post about lavender was so popular I thought I would share some Chamomile recipes and uses as well.


Cheerful Chamomile Tea
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried chamomile flowers
1/2 cup dried calendula petals
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
1/4 cup dried peppermint
1 tablespoon whole cloves
honey to taste

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To brew use 1 1/2 tsp. of tea with 1 cup (8 ounces) boiling water. Steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey to taste.

Winter Chamomile Tea
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients:
1 tsp. dried chamomile
1 tsp. dried mint
1 tsp. dried lavender
honey

Combine the herbs in your warmed tea pot and add 2 cups boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes and strain. Add 1 tsp. of honey to each cup of tea. Notes: I put together this simple mellow tea one winter afternoon. I like it with the honey, but lemon would be fine too. This makes 2 cups of tea, but it can easily be doubled and tripled.

Chamomile Shampoo
You will need:
2 tsp.. dried chamomile
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup baby shampoo (or another mild variety)

Pour the boiling water over the chamomile and steep for 30 minutes, strain, then mix into the shampoo and use as usual.

Chamomile Hair Conditioner
You will need:
1/3 cup chamomile flowers
1/3 cup olive, safflower or sunflower oil
Clean jar with lid

Combine the chamomile and oil in a jar with a lid. Place on a sunny windowsill and shake the jar at once a day. After two weeks, strain out the herbs. To apply, use about 2-4 teaspoons, depending on the length of your hair. Brush out your hair and apply to the hair ends, avoiding the scalp. Leave on about ten minutes, then shampoo out.

Chamomile Hair Rinse
You will need:
1 cup boiling water
1 tsp. chamomile flowers

Pour the water over the chamomile; steep until it cools to lukewarm. Strain out the flowers. This will soothe your scalp. To use pour over your hair as a rinse after shampooing.

Herbal Foot Soak
You will need:
2 ounces mixed fresh herbs-peppermint, rosemary, chamomile
4 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon borax
1 tablespoon Epsom salts

Roughly chop the herbs. Put in a bowl, pour in boiling water. Let stand 1 hour; strain. Place the "tea" water into a tub or bowl large enough to hold both feet and another 6-7 cups of warm water. Stir in borax and Epsom salts. Soak feet 15 to 20 minutes. Add hot water if needed to keep the temperature as warm as desired. Afterwards use a good lotion and place cotton socks on your feet for the evening!

I hope you enjoy these! Oh and don't forget to enter to win a free soap from me in the post below.

If you are reading this in a Facebook note, a reader or some other format then go to my blog at DeShawn's Blog to see the original post.

DeShawnMarie.com