Gorgeous Handmade Wreaths ~ From My Mountain Friend ♥

Hello everyone! Today I want to introduce you to a friend of mine, Rochelle from Wild Mountain Wreathes! I call her my mountain friend since she is from Wild Mountain, and I am from Mountain Creek. :-)

Angels Welcoming Golden Holiday Cheer Wreath - click here to see more!

  Wild Mountain Wreaths General Store  on Etsy offers beautiful, unique, handmade wreaths,  for all occasions.  Instead of the usual evergreen Christmas wreath with two or three pinecones and a big red bow, you can dress up your entry way with a gorgeous one of a kind elegant handmade wreath that fits your personal style - or the style of a loved one because they make great gifts!! Who wouldn't love that? And you don't have to be rich to afford one either! These wreaths are reasonably priced, and there is something for every price point.  Me being the cheapskate that I am,  I love that. :-)

 Red Robin Holiday Cheer Wreath- under $20.00! Click here to see more! 


The awesomeness doesn't stop at Christmas wreaths either! Check out the GORGEOUS colors (and adorable babies ) in this Spring/Summer themed wreath!

Country Baby Bath Orange and Pink Rose N Pearls Bouquet Beauty Wreath - click here to see more!

Or look at the beautiful colors in this Autumn themed wreath!

Fresh Autumn Fall Harvest Arrival Wreath- Click here to see more!

Aren't all of these just beautiful! If you want to see lots more, check out the store here.  Oh and guess what?!  Rochelle does custom orders!! How awesome is that?! So please, check out my mountain friend's store, and find a gorgeous Christmas wreath like no one else has ever had! I know you'll be glad you did. :-) 

 Have an awesome day! 

Easy Dandruff Control treatment ... And A Giveaway?

Good morning ladies!! :-) Do you have trouble with a dry scalp and dandruff? If you do, you'll definitely want to read this!! If you don't you STILL want to read it because I have something exciting to tell you. ;-)

This treatment is SO easy! I don't usually have a dry scalp, but my husband does, and this treatment has really helped him!

You mix 1/2 cup of Olive Oil, and a couple tablespoons of regular white sugar. Stir it up and massage it into your scalp and hair (you don't have to use all of it, just enough to soak your scalp really well). Olive oil is very moisturizing and nourishing for your skin and hair, and the sugar will loosen up all that dead skin. Keep massaging it for at leas a minute, preferably two. Then, put on a shower cap, or just wrap a towel around your neck and shoulders, and let it soak for about five minutes. Then, take a shower like you normally would, and your hair will come out moisturized and shiny!

Now for the REALLY exciting part! :-) I am thinking of hosting a giveaway right here on this blog! If I can get TEN MORE FOLLOWERS before the end of the month, I will do it!! So tell your friends about my blog! I'm not sure yet what the prize will be... maybe my new Shea Body Butter!

Fallapalooza Blog Party ~ And New Products In The Store! ♥

Here is an update on the Fallapalooza Blog Party going on at Below the Plateau. It starts in just 7 days!!!! To enter, you simply fill out the interview questions on your blog, or you can introduce yourself in your own way. The point is to get to know each other better! :-)  Shannon has posted the interview questions for you to use it you want, so be sure to go on over and check them out. It looks like a lot of fun! There are now EIGHT giveaways!!! One of them, of course is a lovely All Natural Bath Set from my shop,  but all of the other SEVEN are amazing as well!!!

  If you haven't seen all the giveaway item yet, you can check them out here and here.  After you do your blog post, you will need to link up to the McLinky at the bottom of the blog party post, which will be going up on Below the Plateau on the 22nd.
 If you don't have a blog, you can still enter by sharing about the party on Facebook, or Twittering and leaving a link to that on the McLinky. If you do this, don't forget to change the privacy settings on your page so that Shannon can see what you wrote. :-)
 So, join the fun, link up between the 22nd and the 30th, and win one of the eight amazing giveaways!!!! Winners will be announced on October 1. For more details on how to enter, and to look at the interview questions head on over to Below the Plateau.

                                             

Also, be sure to check out my Etsy shop, because I just listed the Odor Eater Koffee Kitchen Bar, and I'm working on listing a few more Vintage finds!!! ♥

Giveaway!!!!!!

I'm very excited to tell you about a wonderful giveaway and blog party that Mountain Creek Soaps, Candles & Gifts is a part of!!  Please go check it out, and don't forget to look at all of the Etsy shoppes that are included!

How To Give Yourself A Facial! ♥

Every girl should know how to give herself a great facial! Don't you agree? We have to unclog those pores, restore lost moisture, soften our skin, and help it recover from all the paint and powder we put on it :-) You have to take care of your face, because it's the one you're going to be stuck with for the rest of your life! :-) I try to keep myself looking fresh and pretty for my husband, because I want him to be pleased and impressed whenever he looks at me. No husband wants a dirty unkempt wife! (That goes both ways, but I'm talking to you ladies here!)

Facial masks are some of the oldest known beauty treatments. The ancient Egyptians used mud and clay to remove dead skin cells and heal blemishes. During the 1600s many European women experimented with milk and egg masks. Many other ingredients have been used since, such as fresh foods, flowers, and herbs, to cleanse and nourish the skin. They can be really fun, and they are REALLY easy. You can use a facial mask every day, once a week, or just whenever you feel like it. :-)

A facial can also be really relaxing because it requires you to stay quiet and calm for 10 to 20 minutes. With as busy as most of us are, that can be a welcome break! So take a look at the following guidelines for a great facial, and then try out one of the following easy do-it-yourself facial mask recipes, and relax!

Step 1. Wash your face thoroughly using a mild soap or cleansing cream.

2. Clean your face, using and astringent to remove any dead skin, soap, or cleansing cream residue ( try Witchazel )

3. Nourish your face using a cleansing facial mask. Cover the skin with a light, even coat, avoiding the area around your eyes; now relax. Leave the mask on for 15 or 20 minutes. Try not to talk or move your face too much. Maybe you can lay down and listen to some good music! Or read a book! :-)

4. Rinse your face thoroughly, using luke warm water, and pat dry.

5. Steam your face to clean out your pores, using a large bowl or sink full of hot water. If you want to add herbs to the water, you can. Try Chamomile for normal skin, Peppermint for oily, and Rosemary for dry skin. Make a ten, using a large bath towel, and lean over the water for 10 to 15 minutes to open your pores. Adding essential oils to the water can be very enjoyable too. Try Lavender Essential Oil to relieve stress. Since you're head is under a towel, you could still listen to good music, or this could be a great time to talk to the Lord, think about all the reasons why you love your husband, or other happy wonderful things like that! This is a STRESS FREE ZONE. :-)

6. Rinse thoroughly, starting with warm water, and slowly changing to cold water to slowly clean and close the pores. This is VERY important. You don't want your pores to be open and exposed to impurities in the air, your hands or anything else. That would undo everything you have just been doing!

7. Moisturize your face with an all natural light moisturizer. Massage the cream or lotion into your face and allow it to soak in.

8. Enjoy a beautiful, clean, fresh face!! :-)

If you are in a hurry, try giving yourself a Minifacial ~ Clean your face. Put on a simple, one ingredient mask (plain yogurt or avocado always works) for 5 to 10 minutes. Jump (or just step like a normal person) into the shower and rinse off the mask while opening your pores. Rinse your face with cool, clear water and moisturize.

And now for the fun part, I have picked a couple facial mask recipes that you might like to try, or come up with your own. There's thousands of different ingredients you could use!

Apricot Mask

1/2 cup dried apricots
1/2 cup warm water
1 tablespoon dry milk powder (or substitute water for milk)
1 tablespoon honey

This mask will revitalize a colorless and dull complexion. Apricots are rich in Vitamin A, which is important for healthy skin. Combined with milk and honey, they return moisture to the skin.
 Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Salsa Mask

1/2 small tomato
1/2 cup chopped cucumber (with peel)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 egg white (optional)

This recipe is perfect for stressed out, oily skin! Tomato, parsley, and cucumber are combined to make a mildly acidic and astringent mask.

Do NOT use a commercial salsa, as it will have peppers and spices that will burn your skin!
 Combine all ingredients except the egg white in a blender and puree. Stir in the egg white if you want.


Summer Watermelon Mask

1/4 cup watermelon, removed from the rind.

Watermelon makes a great toning facial mask. It contains high amounts of vitamins A, B, and C, all of which keep skin healthy and glowing. You may want to use a damp piece of cheesecloth or gauze over the mask to keep it on your face as it is a little thin.
 Mash the fruit in a bowl using a spoon or fork until smooth.


Swiss Milkmaid Mask

1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup powdered milk or powdered buttermilk

In Switzerland, dairy products are well known for creating healthy skin and hair because they are rich in protein and vitamins. This mask is very simple, with noticeable results- it leaves your skin smooth and glowing. You can also use this mask on your hands and body for an allober conditioning.
 Mix together the buttermilk and powdered milk to make a smooth paste. Spread and even layer over your face and neck ( a small pastry brush or paintbrush will make this less messy!) Leave the mask on until dry, 15 to 20 minutes.

Fruit Gel Masks

1 packet unflavored Gelatin
1/2 cup fruit juice

Juices to try: for normal to dry skin- Apple, Pear, Peach, Raspberry
For Oily skin- Tomato, Grapefruit, Lemon, White Grape

Gelatin masks are smooth and cool. They can be peeled off the face or easily rinsed away, removing dead skin cells. After using one of these masks your face feels fresh and cool.
 Combine the gelatin and fruit juice in a clean, oven proof glass container. Heat gently over a double boiler to dissolve the gelatin completely. Place the gelatin in the refrigerator and cool until almost set (about 30 minutes). Spread a thin layer of the gelatin over your face and allow to dry. Peel off and rinse your face thoroughly with cool, clear water.

Have Fun! ♥

Beauty Tip ~ Sunblock & Sunburn Soothers!

I love summer, don't you? I love the family get-togethers, working in the garden, playing softball or volleyball on cool evenings, having a nice cup of sweet tea on hot afternoons, riding horses every chance I get, eating cold watermelon..... But the one thing I don't love about summer is the sunburn! So today I thought I'd share with you some tips for preventing and soothing those nasty burns.

Obviously a simple solution to getting a sunburn would be to put on sunscreen from your local Wal-Mart, but if you want an alternative to slathering cancer causing chemicals all over your body, here's a few ideas.

1. Zinc Oxide. This can be found at the drugstore. Make sure you use U.S.P grade for cosmetic use. Zinc Oxide is a classic sunblock that has been used for a really long time. That's what my mom uses. I always hated going to the beach with a bright white nose :-)

Here's a simple recipe to make a less greasy sunblock:

1 Tablespoon Zinc Oxide

1 1/2 teaspoons light sesame oil ( many oils have protective qualities, but a lighter oil like Sesame, Jojoba, or even Olive Oil help to make this less greasy)

1 tablespoon water ( or rosewater for a pretty scent )

Mix together the zinc oxide and sesame oil. Heat the mixture gently, and stir well to mix. You can do this in the microwave on High or in a double boiler on your stove.

Remove from heat and slowly add the rosewater, stirring thoroughly. Allow to cool completely, and store in a clean container with a tight fitting lid.

2. If you don't sunburn easily, you could try just using a suntan oil to keep your skin from drying out and getting damaged. Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Castor oil, Sesame oil and Cocoa Butter are all excellent for this.

3. Broad brim hats are excellent for protecting your face from too much sun, and they can be really cute! :-)

My mom loves to wear them, and although that's not really my style, I used to have one that was really cute and I wore it all the time.

Now if you do get a sunburn, all is not lost. There are many natural soothers that will help your skin to heal.

Witch Hazel

Apple Cider Vinegar (mixed with water, 1 tablespoon per 1 cup water)

Cucumber juice (very cooling and refreshing)

White Wine

Buttermilk

Cornstarch

These are all excellent for taking the heat out of your burn. My family uses Apple Cider Vinegar and it takes the sting away immediately (although I don't recommend using this on a blistering burn- it may cause it to sting more).

You can apply these soothers in a couple different ways.

1. Using thin fabric that will cling when wet, such as cheesecloth, silk, or gauze, dip the cloth into the liquid and wrap around your sunburn. You may have to repeat as the fabric dries. Remember to use a good lotion after these cures, as they can be drying to the skin.

2. Add 1 to 2 cups of sunburn soother to your bath water. Make sure the water is tepid, not hot. Moisturize your skin well after the bath to replace lost moisture.

3. Apply sunburn soother directly on the skin with a spray bottle. Do not rub the solution into the skin. Let dry and repeat as necessary after the solution has dried. Moisturize your skin well with a rich body lotion.

So protect your skin without the chemicals, and enjoy your summer!!!!!!! :-)

And The Winner Is.......

Lotions and creams!!! Thank you everyone who voted. I will have the new shea butter hand cream in my Etsy shop pretty soon. In the mean time, check out what's already there, and keep an eye out for other new items! ♥

I found this picture online and thought it was lovely! Claw foot tubs are beautiful, and it's a dream of mine to have one. ;-) I also LOVE the plumbing fixtures and the wood floors!!! Just thought I'd share it with you! ♥

Cucumber Honey Toner

Everybody knows that cucumber is soothing and cooling, which makes at a great choice for homemade beauty products! Cucumber contains silica,which is a trace mineral that contributes to thestrength of our connective tissue. In other words, it strengthens your skin! It also has healing properties that will soothe sunburn and help reduce swelling under your eyes.

Honey is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which are wonderful beauty aids that nourish the skin. It contains powerful antioxidants which fightfree radicals and reverse aging- Big Plus! :-) It is also a well known antibacterial and antifungal agent. It helps disinfect and speed the healing process in wounds, scrapes and burns.

This recipe seems like a perfect summer treatment. I'm definitely going to try this one, and I hope you will too!

1 medium Cucumber, peeled and cut up into pieces

2 tsp. Honey

Puree cucumber in a blender. Line a sieve with cheesecloth ( a dish towel or some kind of light material can work just as well) and set the sieve over a glass bowl or measuring cup. Pour the cucumber puree through the sieve and let it stand for 15 minutes for the juices to drip into the bowl. Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey.

To use, shake the bottle and saturate a cotton pad with the lotion. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes). Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Enjoy!

Spotlight On: Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat germ oil is a highly rich unrefined oil that is one of the richest sources of vitamin E, A and D. It also has a high content of proteins and Lecithin. This oil is widely used for external application, as it helps a great deal in getting rid of skin irritation including skin dryness and cracking. Wheat germ oil is increasingly finding its way in the making of skin care products. The oil extracted from wheat germ, the botanical name of which is Triticum vulgare, has a shelf life of about 6-8 months.
Wheat germ oil is a very sensitive oil, therefore must be used cautiously. It tends to degrade in quality, when exposed to high temperatures. Being unrefined in nature, it is usually dark in color and also has a heavy smell. It is a good source of fatty acids that are very vital for the healthy growth of the body. The oil is taken out from the germ of the wheat. The germ forms only 3% of the weight of a wheat grain; nonetheless, contains about 25% of the protein, vitamins and minerals.

Wheat germ oil is known for its antioxidant properties and this explains the reason why it is added to other carrier oils. The basic idea is to enhance their shelf life and prevent rancidity. When applied on the skin, it improves the circulation of blood and also helps to repair the skin cells destroyed by the scorching heat of sun. It keeps away the symptoms of dermatitis, thereby preventing the skin from being victimized by various kinds of problems. Thick in consistency, its independent use for massaging the body is not usually preferred. Since it has exceptional nourishing qualities, it is used in lesser quantities for preparing the carrier oil blend.

article from beauty.indobase.com