Material Spotlight: Grapeseed Oil

Now®

I'm going to take a moment and tell you all about the goodness of grapeseed oil! Let's start with a few simple physical traits. Grapeseed oil is incredibly light and plain; it has almost no scent and is great for infusing oils.

Benefits!

Moisturizer - Although it's very light, grapeseed oil is a great moisturizer. You can directly put it on your skin or hair, or add it to a homemade lotion or soap.

Helps treat acne - Need acne treatment? Use this when moisturizing your face (but use a small amount) or add to a homemade face wash.

Relieves dark circles under the eyes - Grapeseed oil has many similar benefits as lemon, including several factors that can help with aging appearances. Put a small amount under your eyes or add it to a homemade facial!

Fights aging - Grapeseed oil does a great job at tightening the skin for a better looking appearance. By now, you should know what to do to enjoy all the great ways of working grapeseed oil into your beauty routine!

Favorite Friday

It's Favorite Friday again and I'm here to acknowledge my favorite items I've made and 9 of my favorite items from my fellow Etsy team members (Afternoon Tea, Chat and Treasuries Team).

1. I love this wrapped rhinestone bracelet; mainly because I did a pretty good job with the picture I took. Here's my Leather Cotton Wrapped Rhinestone Bracelet.

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2. Leather Wallet in Electric Blue By Maycily

I could probably see myself in this, it's so shiny! And so electrifyingly blue! And it's real leather! How much more quality do you want!?

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3. Dog Neck Cooler Collar By Icybrand

Ignoring the fact that my dog would shred through this in record time, I would totally dress him up in one of these very cute collars!

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4. The Rooster Watercolor Painting By DoritKohStudio

Oh my gosh, I'm just going to go on a rant on how beautiful this is! It's so colorful and pretty and blue and pink and, and... all the positive adjectives in a dictionary wouldn't be enough to describe the beauty of this picture and all the other ones in this shop!

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5. Toddler Chick Beanie By AngieMade

D'AAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! *ahem* Well I think that should be all you need to know my feelings on this cute little hat.

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6. Colorful Summer Bracelets By TresJolieTP

Wow, look at this sweet arm candy! I'd decorate my arms up and down with these sweet little bracelets!

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7. Natural Taupe Blue Rustic Tote By TalesSweetTale

Everybody loves totes! Why not go all out and get this wonderful polka-dot tote, complete with cute little birdies.

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8. Scented Felt Cupcakes 4 By FeltLikeSweets

Holy-Scented-Felt-Cupcakes Batman! They're scented felt cupcakes! How deliciously cool is that? I WANT TO EAT ONE!

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9. Organic Strawberry Jam By Hipeecraft

FOOD. STRAWBERRY JAM FOOD. Excuse me while I go polish off my jam n' crackers because now I'm hungry!

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10. Centerpiece Lace Jars With Flowers By BespokeVintageCastle

Hey. I wasn't kidding around when I said I love mason jars. Look at how gorgeous and totally handmade these are!

Recipe: Super Easy Banana Shake

Do you love bananas? No? Then leave. But if you do, here's a mind-numblingly easy banana milk shake you can make in the mornings or when ever. Just make sure you're near a blender!


Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 medium sized bananas (7") - I generally have organic bananas sitting around the kitchen. If you don't, any banana will work, just make sure it's the rightbananas
• 5-8oz of milk
• about 1/2 a cup of ice
• Some sugar (3 teaspoons)

A quick note: None of these measurements are very specific. You can add as much of either as you want. You can even throw in another banana if you like. For sugar, I added two teaspoons because I like things sweet but some don't so they may add less. It's all up to you!

Step one: Throw it all in the blender, mix until you get a consistency you like and drink away!
You can also opt to throw out the ice and enjoy some banana milk (super delicious!).

Favorite Friday

Well I was supposed to post something Tuesday but a stubborn computer said otherwise. So here's Favorite Friday.
I'm making Friday a day to acknowledge my favorite items I've made and 9 of my favorite items from my fellow Etsy team members (Afternoon Tea, Chat and Treasuries Team).

1. This is my most favorite item that I've ever conjured up. Why you ask? Because like everything else I state, I love lavender so much! My very relaxing Lavender Body Scrub.

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2. Cup Cake Stamps Set of 4 By JapaneseRubberStamps

Well, I know what all my stationaries will be stamped with from now on.

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3.  BEWARE OF CHICKEN By RustyTheHermit

They can be nasty little suckers; trust me, I know.

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4. Steampunk Bronze Wings Nekclace/Pendant By Jamlincrow

What's not cool about this very awesome looking piece of jewelry? I'm going to take the time to recommend everyone to actually look through this person's shop. They've got some pretty amazing jewelry there.

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5. Abstract Stripe Triangle Necklace Aztec Necklace By Listiques

I think I'd feel kinda' sexy in this. Stripes. Triangles. Totally.

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6. Yellow Large Ethereal Shawl By VintageVanillaShop

Why wouldn't you wear anything that's described by the word "ethereal?"

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7. Cotton Circle Skirt/Black White Floral By Almondtreevintage

It's got lace! I'd tango in this!

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8. Houston Map Print Texas Poster By CartoCreative

I can't tell you how much I love this map art. And of course, I had to display good ol' H-town. Stop at this shop and see if you can find your hometown!

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9. Original Abstract Purple Wall Art By PurplePebbleStudios

I can't stop staring at it. It looks into your soul. Deep...deep. And for heaven's sake, IT'S PURPLE. HOW COOL IS THAT?

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10. Cedar & Jasmine Candle By AzizLightApothecary

ANYTHING CEDAR SMELLS GOOD. Just though I'd throw that out there.

Tip Tuesday: Petroleum Jelly

Magical petroleum jelly. Yes. It's magical. Why you ask, because it's used for everything! Petroleum jelly is one of these medicines that has been rightly named a "cure-all."

Vaseline®

1. Healing Properties. Um, duh? That's what petroleum jelly was first intended for when chemist Chesebrough first refined it into the household name we know: Vaseline. If you ever get a scrape, burn, or a rash and can't seem to find the Neosporin or ointment, don't hesitate to pick up a jar of petroleum jelly. Although "healing" isn't necessarily the name for it, petroleum jelly does wonders for soothing and protecting those boo boos of yours. (Personal experience)

2. Moisturizing. Great for moisturizing chapped lips and especially nail cuticles, just smother on petroleum jelly wherever you need some good moisturizing. (Personal experience, HowStuffWorks)

3. Hair stuff. I've only tried this once to smooth out flying hairs for my pony tail, but apparently it works relatively well for a full on hair gel. (Personal experience)

4. Minimal mascara. If you don't feel like putting on mascara, things like petroleum jelly or coconut oil can help give your eyelashes the appearance of looking fuller! It's also easier to wash off and maybe better for your eyelashes. (Personal experience)

5. Lip Gloss. As stated before, petroleum jelly can help soothe chapped lips, but if you add either a bit of an old lipstick or a tad of eye shadow, you can get a pretty tinted lip gloss. (Brit + Co)

Tip Tuesday: Shaving

Winter is finally ending in many places and ladies, it's time.
Time for what?
You know. Shaving.

BIC®

So I'm starting a day where I try to give some helpful tips or information on variouse subjects and today I'm starting with a relatively awkward topic: shaving. If you've kept up with at least some extreme moisturizing over the cold string of months, you're doing well. If you've actually kept up shaving, that's impressive. Anyway, if you haven't, here's some tiny, mind-numbingly simple and obvious tips on how to get your legs back into shape during that first shave.

1. Rinse your blade after each stroke. But that will take me forever! I know, I know, but it really does help to keep from irritation. You don't have to do this for ever, the first couple times should be all you need; really just the first time.

2. Go over several times. Do it gently or you'll be covered in razor bumps. Don't try and get it all in one go (then you're really asking for burns).

3. Shave last. Let shaving be the last thing you do. At the end of the shower, the hairs will be soft from the water and not so susceptible to bending and causing irritation to the skin with the razor.

4. Moisturize in and out of the shower. In the shower, I would recommend using a scrub before or after (or both) you shave. I commonly use either my Citrus Mix Scrub (not in stock yet) or my Sea Side Coconut Body Scrub. I recommend doing this not just for the first time, but every time you shave. Many times with these scrubs, you won't even have to put on lotion when you get out of the shower!

5. Always moisturize. For the first time, do put on lotion afterwards anyway. Extra moisturizing is always good. For the next day, continue putting on lotion. Any lotion should do. If you have incredibly dry skin like me, I would use butters; they're strong moisturizers and keeps in a healthy amount of water for your skin. As for me, my all-time favorite is good 'ol shea butter.

My ladies, I hope this helps your first lawn mowing on your legs. And guys, don't be afraid to try a couple of these on that lumberjack winter coat beard. Some of these tips I got from my brother.

Posted via Blogaway

Posted via Blogaway

Posted via Blogaway

Favorite Friday

I'm making Friday a day to acknowledge my favorite items I've made and 9 of my favorite items from my fellow Etsy team members (Afternoon Tea, Chat and Treasuries Team).

1. Here's the first item I've ever made for Etsy, although it never actually made it into the shop until very recently. My Dessert Themed Charm Bracelet.

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2. Hand Made Pink Floral Jewelry By InsouJewelry

My gosh! How beautiful this necklace and earring pair is! So pink and ornate looking!

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3. Light Blue Straw Percher Hat By RoseYoungMillinery

It's so...elegant! I love anything in such a gorgeous Victorian style such as this.

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4. Baby Blue Mason Jar Soap Dispenser By PiccadillyPastimes

I can't even begin to describe how much I love anything that has to do with a mason-jar-makeover. I have a deep passion for...mason jars.

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5. Double Wicked Heart Shaped Scented Candle By OneStopPamperShop

Can you imaging keeping this in your purse and someone's like "anybody got a candle?" and BOOM, right out' your purse is this absolutely adorable heart tin candle! "I got this."

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6. Pencil/Make Up Bag - 'Elephants' By BeadedGardenUK

I'm an artist myself and have a passion for little pencil bags almost as much as I love mason jars. And it has ELEPHANTS.

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7. Slim Card Wallet By Chockrosa

I could slip this into my back pocket and nobody would know it's there! Goodbye square-cheek-chunky-wallet-pocket indention.

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8. Panda Bathtub Buddy Polymer Clay Charm By OmniCharmsStudio

IT'S A PANDA. IN A BATHTUB. WITH A DUCK. A RUBBER DUCK. I love it sooo much!

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9. Eleanor Roosevelt Quote Mug By PenEndeavors

What other drinking utensils do I love? Mugs. Mugs are great, especially a cool handwritten one like this!

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10. Handmade Ivory Olive Dotted Beads By MyGlassLampwork

Beads? Olive? Ivory? What's not to love when you can make a super chic necklace out of these babies?