Other Projects

While soap making may be my addiction I do have other awesome hobbies. My latest project is crocheting a messenger bag. I still have to finish the handle and sew in the buttons. I also plan to add some interfacing and fabric to the inside. I can't wait for this to be completed the only other thing I have crocheted is a blanket. What is your opinion? Do you have any other crafty projects going on?

Lovely Lavender

The first time I bought my first bottle of lavender essential oil I fell head over heals in love. It was not what I was used to smelling. I assume it was because the other lavender scents I had were all fragrance oils but this essential oil was amazing. It made me decided to look in to all of the ways lavender is helpful. What I didn't realize was that there are so many ways lavender can be useful.

Lavender which come from the Latin name "Lavare", which means "to wash". It was given this name because its aroma gives the feeling of a clean aroma. Having a clean feeling is exactly what it does. The uses for this essential oil are almost endless. It can be used for the skin, for circulation, muscles and joints, for respiratory issues, for digestion and for nervous system problems.

 

To help the skin lavender can be used to help with abscesses, acne, allergies, bruises, burns, cold sores, cuts, eczema, hives, inflammations, insect bites and stings, lice,  rashes, scars, shingles, stretch-marks, and sunburns.

Lavender can help with aches and pains, helps reduce cellulite, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, Lumbago, reduces swelling and pain, relaxes tight muscles, joint pain, rheumatism, and sprains.

It also can help with Asthma (when associated with emotional trauma), bronchitis, coughs, colds, congestion, flu, laryngitis, throat infections, whooping cough, and sinus infections.

Lavender is know to aid in improving digestion. With lavenders calming effects it can help to balance emotions and helps with depression, headaches, panic attacks and stress.

While lavender is a wonderful essential oil it must also be used with caution. While for most people lavender is okay to put on the skin in an undiluted state you should always do a skin test before hand or if you are aware that you have sensitive skin you should not use it undiluted.If you are pregnant you should be careful with using lavender essential oils. And as always please do your research before using an essential oil.

10 Uses for Olive Oil (besides using it to make soap)

Most people would think olive oil is only used to cook with and in soap making, but there are so many other handy uses for it around the house.Check out this list of my 10 favorite ways to use olive oil.

• Fingernails mix the oil with water and soak fingertips before a manicure or rub some oil on your cuticle to moisten it.
• Free a stuck zipper use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the teeth of a zipper, then gently ease the tab down.
• Shine stainless steel many cleaning standbys, such as ammonia, can dull and even corrode chrome and stainless steel. Olive oil, however, is a safe and effective shining agent.
• Polish your wooden furniture make a mixture of two parts of olive oil with one part of lemon juice.  Take a soft cloth and pour some of this mixture on it. Shine your wooden furniture with this cloth.
• Prevent wax from sticking to a candle holder rub a thin coat on the base of the holder before inserting a candle. Dripped wax should peel away easily.
• Prevent pasta water from boiling over try pouring a tablespoon of olive oil into the water before boiling.
• Shaving use as a lubricant for a close shave.
• Dry scalp relief condition your scalp with warm olive oil & massage it in as a relief for dry scalp. Leave it on for 20 minutes then wash your hair as usual.
• In baths you can even pamper your skin by adding a few drops of olive oil to your bath before stepping in.
• Wooden cutting boards rub olive oil into wooden cutting boards to help prevent cracking, repel staining and marking                                                                                                                       

 
 If you have any more handy uses for olive oil please share them with me. I would love to try them at home.

Woo Hooo Give-Away! The Poisoned Apple

I was just reading SteamBath Factory blog about The Poisoned Apple giveaway and after checking out Lesa's Etsy (owner of The Poisoned Apple) I decided I just must win. These creations are amazing. Check out my favorite the Black Gothic Scrolls Chocolate Covered Caramel Halloween Wedding Apple.

To enter the giveaway please visit SteamBath Factory's blog for information!

New Mold

I found the most awesome mold from Avon a few weeks back. I was so excited when I finally got it yesterday! I could not wait to get home from work and use it! Sadly, in the rush me of trying to get home I left it at work along with my sweater.Ugh! Well at least tonight I will be able to use them.I have so many awesome ideas I don't know if I have enough supplies! I will post pictures later when I have some made.

Etsy

I was really hoping to have things on my Etsy up and ready for sale yesterday but sadly, there were a few snags along the way. I will have to put off opening the shop for a few more days. However I will be putting up a few more soaps then I expected!

Warm Honey

Relaxation

Tye Dye Christmas?

As much as I hate the sn*w, I love Christmas. I enjoy decorating my apartment and I thought this year could be diffident with a very colorful Christmas. I love color and things that are bright so in this thought process I made tye dye Christmas trees. Take a peak.