Saturday, February 16, 2013

Soaps and Potions



What a treat!
I went to a class with some girlfriends last night 
on making soaps and lotions and scrubs 
at an enchanting shop in Chicago 



My sweet friend Jeanne organized the outing for us
to celebrate my birthday


and because we always have fun getting together.

We learned about making soaps and lotions and body oils and salt scrubs
from the shop Proprietor, Deb Kraemer, 
a Registered Aromatherapist 
and all around lotion/potion magician.




The shop is full of delightful sights and colors and most of all, fragrances,
all smelling fresh and natural and wonderful.



It's like a beautiful laboratory
with colorful bottles and artful displays everywhere.
The soap artisans here make all of their products in house,
using olive oil, homegrown herbs and botanicals and pure essential oils. 

Deb is very conscious of only using healthy, positive ingredients
in her products and for your skin.
She's a fountain of interesting information about all of the ingredients 
and their purposes and delights.

They offer classes on making soaps, lotions, body oils, balms, salt scrubs and more.
They also do custom orders with private labeling for gifts and promotions.
Their labels and wraps and ribbons and trims are very festive and fun,
making the products irresistable.
Think company gifts and Christmas presents....
I know I am.

Here are some of their wonderful soaps-
Like these citrus blends



 And the Earth Series



The Collection:



Beautifully presented gift boxes



Vintage looking labels on Rinses and Salves



And vibrant labels on "Juiced"- Jeanne's favorite.



Deb travels to local lavender farms for the fresh lavender for this collection:




Morning blend, a coffee scented soap.  
Wake up!



Soft and pretty Rose Buds



Shea Butter options for the lips



And Chicago soap with custom labels
I bought this for our guest bath.
So whimsical and fun!




We melted down shea butter and beeswax and added our own choices of essential oils for fragrance
and made a luscious balm for our chapped hands
and other winter weary body parts.

I chose Sweet Orange and it's wonderful!



Then we mixed our own bath salts
choosing from exotic salts from all over the world.
We added our own choices of fragrance and some flower petals and essential oils
and mixed them up by hand
and put them in wonderful containers to take home.


Again, Sweet Orange for me.  
MMMMMMM.
The other fragrance options were many, including Pine and Ocean Breeze 
and Peppermint and Lavender and Bergamot and on and on and on.

Choosing our scents was the hardest part,
probably because Deb had everything else very organized and ready to go.

But the ingredients are luscious, simple and pure 
and anyone can do it.

Gorgeous!


Thanks, Jeanne!
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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Hey Girl.



This is gonna be fun.
I'm writing this post so I can join a "Hey Girl" Link Party.
A Ryan Gosling "Hey Girl" Link Party.
If you don't know what that means, you are going to thank me for this!
Here is a link to Hey Girl on Pinterest.



Get it now?
You're welcome. 

I've loved Ryan Gosling since before I knew he was Ryan Gosling.  
He starred in one of my all time favorite movies, Lars and The Real Girl.
Click here to see the Official Trailer for the movie.
A sweet, beautiful story about love and grief and community.  
Watch it.
Again, you're welcome!

Here are a few of my favorite "Hey Girl" posters.










In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I have created my own "Hey Girl" Poster of Mr. Grand.
He will absolutely say DO NOT DO THIS, but secretly, I'm pretty sure
 all guys want to be featured in "Hey Girl" posters.


(This will absolutely never happen
but at least the sunset part is true!)



Linking to:
"Hey Girl" Link Party at Bliss Ranch

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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Vintage Earring Bracelets



Here's another treat for the vintage jewelry fans...

I have been holed up in my cozy studio this winter,
taking apart someone's sweet Grandmother's "glamorous" earrings 
to create bracelets that might actually be worn today.

I like to think I rescued the earrings from the dusty bins in the antique mall 
where they were thrown together with all the other grandmother's earrings and pins and brooches. 

The scent of lingering perfume from long ago still wafted in the air as I sifted through the bins
hunting for just the right combinations.
And believe me, I had to kiss a lot of frogs to find these pretty sets.


I've shown you several other bracelets this month- 
you can see the silver one here and the warm, cinnamon toned one here.


This new pearly, vintage goldtone bracelet is my current favorite...



I hear gold is finally back.
I'm ready!



I love the pearls and the giant rhinestones mixed together.

Lots of sparkle,  
lots of Bling!




Once again, I added a little crystal charm onto the end of the chain for a finished look-
the Aurora Borealis color blends well with the gold and pearls.



Aren't these pretty little pieces of art? 

I have a dressy Luncheon to attend this weekend 
and I'll be sporting this sparkly bracelet,
making a "Statement"!







Update:  
I added this blue bracelet to my collection 
after finding a jackpot of earrings while antiquing this weekend!



It's a beauty and will go so well when I want to dress up in my jeans!




Linking to:
Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Tutorials, Tips and Tidbits at Stone Gable
Wildly Original Link Party at I Gotta Create!
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Hooking Up with House of Hepworths
A Crafty Soiree at Katie's Nesting Spot
Be Inspired Friday at Common Ground
Fabulously Creative Linky Party at Jennifer Rizzo
Feather Your Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Cowgirl Up Link Party at Cedar Hill Ranch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm
Pretty Things Link Party at Twelveoeight
Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors
Tutorials and Tips Link Pary at HomeStories AtoZ
Time To Shine Party at A Diamond in the Stuff
Show Me What You Got at Not Just A Housewife
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
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