Home Made Lotions, Bath Salts and Spa Goodness

When you live in a dry climate you can always use a great moisturizer! And even if you don't live where there is a dry climate it is almost that time of year to be needing some with spring and summer on its way. How great would it be to make some of your own?  Well thanks to Lousia Shafia and her tutorial on Ready Made you can! Honestly I am going to try this! How about you?

Oh, if you think you are interested in creating other spa products from home here are a few recipes for bath salts, scrubs and sachets  in a post I did earlier.

I have always wanted to make my own soaps. What is it about the texture and look of organic home made soap. When you go to purchase a bar at +5. or more dollars I am so tempted to make some of my own and since having sensitive skin you can choose what is really in the soap. Below is a link to a post at Martha Stewart under her image and whats coming next.

Martha Stewart

When shopping a thrift store recently I came across a perfectly crafty how to make soap book. So after I read through it I hope to try some recipes and give you my thoughts. I will take photos of it too and share the details in another post. Until then you might like this site All Natural Beauty they have a whole page of recipes to pick through! PS. these  make great gifts!!  And up coming a post about making your own bath oils too~

Have you ever made your own soap? Cosmetics? or Spa products? Is it something you would like to try?

Simple Mother's Day Spa Gift Ideas

Photography by Thomas J. Story, story and styling by Miranda Jones
Link to Sunset directions here

If you are looking for last minute Mother's Day gifts on a budget that are easy to make and you even might have some of the ingredients in your cupboard you might enjoy these recipes and links I found~ There is still time to pamper your mom and even make a little extra for yourself! You can also follow the link to Sunset for recipes & how to make a lavender sachet, bath scrub and travel candle~

Martha Stewart

Bath Salts

Bath Salts Turn a plain old soak into a real retreat with bath salts you make yourself. Start with about 4 cups of sea salt or kosher salt. Mix in several drops of an aromatic bath oil (available at bath and beauty stores) and, if you wish, dried fragrant plants, such as lavender or eucalyptus. Pour into a jar for yourself or to give as a gift. Use a few spoonfuls of salts per bath; to keep herbs from floating, spoon the mixture into a spice sachet (available at gourmet grocery stores). C&H Sugar
White Cane Glimmer Sugar Scrub
1 cup - C&H® Pure Cane Sugar 1 cup - vegetable oil Oil from 1 vitamin E capsule 1 or 2 drops - of essential oil, lavender or orange 1 16oz. - glass container with lid Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl until well blended. Using a spatula, transfer mix into the container and secure lid. Contents will settle, mix before using. Scoop a teaspoon or two of the scrub on your hands and gently massage in circular motions onto your skin. Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes before thoroughly rinsing. The scrub will tighten on your skin.

Brown Sugar Body Scrub
We know the perfect way to relax after a long day of baking! Try this luxurious homemade spa treatment using a delicious aromatic blend of C&H® Brown Sugar, moisturizing oils and fresh fragrances. You can also create this homemade sugar scrub, as a thoughtful, low-cost gift that will make your friends feel a little sweeter! 1/2 cup ground almonds 1/2 cup ground oatmeal 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup almond oil 1 tsp. vanilla extract Small containers with lids Combine all ingredients using a spatula in a large bowl until well blended. Mix should have a paste like texture. If it is too dry add more oil a few drops at a time. Conversely, if it is too oily add more dry ingredients until you reach the desired consistency. Keep stored in tightly sealed jars. May need to mix before use if ingredients settle. Application: Gently apply to wet skin in a circular motion concentrating on dry patches and rough areas of your skin. Avoid using the scrub on sensitive areas, in cuts or on skin that is irritated or sunburned. Sugar scrubs are also not recommended for the face. Thoroughly rinse with warm water. Caution: the oil in the sugar scrub can cause the tub to become slippery. Have fun creating your own signature body scrub by experimenting with various scents from essential oils like grapefruit, lavender or peppermint, found in specialty markets or crafts stores. If you add any natural fruit or dairy products to your scrub, we recommend you refrigerate for up to two weeks. Tips: A little goes a long way with the sugar body scrub when giving as gifts. Use small mason jars or washed out baby food jars as containers. Decorate the lids buy cutting out fabric scraps in a circle shape about 2 inches larger than the lid. Glue the fabric to the lid, then tie a pretty coordinating ribbon, gathering the fabric, around the neck of the jar. Be sure to include a small tag with the application instructions and don’t forget to let the recipient know that you were the one sweet enough to make these for them!

Link to C&H spa gift tags

Credits for spa recipes and images to Martha Stewart, C & H Sugar and Sunset