Organic Pure Lemongrass Handmade Vegan Soap, FRESH BATCH!

via etsy.com

Fresh batches of my organic soaps are all being added to my Etsy shop today. Pure Lemongrass is already added, so stop by and pick up your favorites before they are all gone.
http://etsy.com/shop/deshawnmarie
http://deshawnmarie.com

Purple Treasury

I just had to share this wonderful treasury with all of my AGteam mates in it. I love this mysterious purple treasury with all of these talented artists. Be sure to check out each of their shops.

DeShawnMarie.com

DeShawn Marie Etsy Shop

In the making team treasury! #IMteam

A lovely IM team treasury I am in today!

DeShawnMarie.com

DeShawn Marie Etsy Shop

How to make your own bath bomb fizzies at home

• 1 cup citric acid
• 2 cups baking soda
• Witch hazel
• Coloring of your choice
• Fragrance or essential oil of your choice
• Any shaped molds or dome molds
You will also need a squirt bottle

1.)  Blend the citric acid and baking soda-It is a good idea to use a blender or pestle and mortar to grind it down into a very fine powder so you do not end up with a grainy bath bomb.

2.)  After you have mixed the baking soda and citric acid very well add your coloring (a little goes along way)

3.) Add your fragrance oil enough to your liking.

4.) Fill your small squirt bottle the witch the hazel-Spritz your above dry mixture with the witch hazel and mix it all together until the mixture it sticks together when squeezed. This is the the best way to test them work fast and do not add to much witch hazel. Pack them hard and firmly into molds. Let them dry about 4 hours. Then remove your bath fizzies and take a bath!

DeShawnMarie.com

DeShawn Marie Etsy Shop

Body lotion recipe for dry skin that you can make at home

Trying to conquer dry skin?  This could be your answer and it's easy to make!

* 3/4 cup of almond oil
* 1/3 cup of coconut oil or cocoa butter
* 1 teaspoon lanolin
* 1/2 oz grated beeswax
* 2/3 cup rosewater
* 1/3 cup aloe vera gel
* 1 to 2 drops rose oil
* 1 vitamin E capsule


Directions

Melt almond oil, coconut oil, lanolin and beeswax over low heat. Mix well and let cool.

Mix rosewater, aloe vera gel and rose oil. Add the contents of the vitamin E capsule. Whip this mixture into the beeswax mixture until well blended. Store in a jar with a tight lid.

Hope all of you alligator skinned folks find some pleasure from this one.  It's pure luxury!

PS. I REACHED 500 FOLLOWERS THIS WEEK!! SO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS?  YES, IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER GIVEAWAY.  STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS THIS WEDNESDAY.

DeShawnMarie.com

Bath Tea recipe for varicose veins

I've done a little research on varicose veins and have read some different herbal remedies online. I am currently testing this recipe out, but would like to go ahead and share it to see if anyone else benefits from this wonderful natural bath for varicose veins. I've just recently started getting the unsightly boogers and want to try and keep from getting anymore :-( I'm sure my many years of jobs in which I was on my feet all of the time have contributed to this.

So please if you try this out let me know how it goes for you?

2 tbs dried ginger or 4 tbs fresh sliced ginger root
4 tbs juniper
2 tbs rosemary
4 tbs dried lemon peel or 1 whole lemon quartered and squeezed into bath

I prefer to use the fresh ingredients to the dried, but if you only have the dried it works just fine.   I put all the fine ingredients in to a muslin bag and put in to the bath, but I like the fresh lemon and ginger to float in the bath rather than putting it in to a bag.  This is just my own personal preference, but you can do it any way you like to.

DeShawnMarie.com

Homemade Bath Salt Recipe

Ever wanted to make your own bath salts?  Well this is my favorite recipe! Indulge and enjoy!

 Mix all of the ingredients below in a large glass or stainless steel bowl.  Store leftover salts in an airtight container.

• 1 cup coarse sea salt
• 1/2 tsp liquid glycerin (can buy at most health food stores or online)
• 1/2 cup Epsom salt
• 1/8 cup dried flowers (rose, chamomile or lavender are my favorites)
• 10 drops lavender oil
• 5 drops peppermint oil 

This is really a luxurious experience.  Hope you all take the time to treat yourselves to this indulgent bath.

DeShawnMarie.com

2010

Well the New Year arrived and I have been busy, busy, busy. As you all know I am leaving for my big trip to Vietnam in a little over a week. I had to go down to NYC to take care of getting my visa lined up for that. I just got back last night, it was very hectic and I wish I could have stayed longer to see more friends, but I packed a lot in to the few days I was there. Unfortunately looks like I also caught a cold in the process of all of that running around in the cold weather. Trying to kick that today with lots of juice, herbs, vitamins and oils.
**TIP: for congestion inhaling tea tree oil or eucalyptus really helps, I've been burning it in a diffuser all night.

Even though I'm not 100% today I have lots of things I'm working on. I picked up some new ingredients in Chinatown while in NYC. I wanted to find a new green tea powder as I am working on an organic line. I found exactly what I was looking for there and picked up some organic green tea that I felt will work with what I'm trying to do. I also purchased a few new herbs and some clay on my visit. I have several new soaps in development and when I get back from my trip to Vietnam I should have everything I need for my new line of soaps.

Also I have a few new recipes I'll be sharing this week when I get the chance to test a few of my new ingredients out. I'm working on developing some new lotions, teas and masks. When I feel I have a few more things down I'll post it on the blog, until then I hope you are all enjoying the new year and as my sister and I have been saying "Happy New Decade!!"

DeShawnMarie.com

The New Year is almost here!

I've had to slack a bit on my blogs over the holiday season since that is the time of year I am busiest, but I will be back in the routine of things soon. The New Year is just around the corner and I've got lots of things planned for 2010. Starting with a trip to Vietnam in mid-January. This trip will be part business and part pleasure. As you all know each year I plan trips to discover and collect ingredients for my soaps. Asia will be the focus of this years trips, I am sure I will be inspired to create all kind of different exotic soaps.

I already have a few new soaps in development and I'm also working on an organic line. I will be unveiling all of my new creations some time in mid-March. So stay tuned for my Vietnam adventure and new soaps in the New Year. I will be blogging while on my trip with videos, photos and more.

I wish you all the happiest of New Year filled with joy, success and love!

PS. I heard from Sara Valor (the winner of my soap of the month free for a year giveaway) last night and she received her first soap yesterday. I'll be looking forward to hearing how she likes it.

DeShawnMarie.com

How to make Orange Peppermint Lotion. Recipe to make at home.

Orange Peppermint Lotion Recipe
1/2-cup mint water
1/8 tsp. borax
1/2 c. grapeseed oil
1 tsp. coconut oil
1 tsp. beeswax
8 drops orange oil
3-4 drops peppermint oil

Make the mint water by boiling fresh or dried mint leaves in water and then letting the mixture cool. Strain off the mint leaves. Use 1-cup fresh mint (1/4 cup dried mint leaves) to 1-cup water.

Then mix together the mint water and the borax, stirring until well mixed. Set aside. Mix together the grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and beeswax in a glass measuring cup. Place the cup with the oils--beeswax mixture in a pan of water (about 1 to 2 inches of water), making a water bath. Heat over medium heat until the beeswax is melted (8 to 10 minutes), stirring occasionally.

When the wax is melted, bring the mint solution almost to boiling (put the glass cup with the mint water/borax in the microwave on High for 1 minute, or use a water bath on the stove top).

Remove the oils-beeswax mixture from the water bath. Slowly add mint water/borax to the mixture in the blender and whip.

Allow the lotion to cool completely. The consistency may seem a bit thin, but it will thicken as it cools. Now add the peppermint and orange oils. Pour the lotion into a clean container with a lid.

VOILA you have Orange Peppermint lotion!

DeShawnMarie.com

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.

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

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