A parting gift to fellow Aussies I am offering free postage on all orders from my baby “NELLIES STUFF”  Australia Wide  till the 31st March 2012 So if you are after Organic, Plant Based Skincare Haircare, Body Products and Baby Products go and have a looksy. I hand make it all myself and it’s pretty good I don’t look half bad for 32. Don’t believe me read these testimonials  :)

Please welcome the New Bath & Body Editor to Craftgossip as of tomorrow

Teacup & saucer

Small bottle with lid or cork try for a 50ml bottle

Sweet almond oil or any other carrier oil of your choice

Essential oil/s of your choice  10 drops per 50ml

Crushed sage

Dried fennel seeds

Shea butter

Muslin cloth

Oatmeal

Ground almonds

Ginger essential oil.

To find out what to do with all of these ingredients pop on over to BeBeautifulBlog  for all the Gossip!

***Photo Property Of BeBeautifulBlog***

Citrus is known for it’s astringent, antiseptic and detoxifying effects on the skin. Lemon reduces hyperpigmentation and also exfoliates. Adding a drop of  ylang-ylang gives citrus added beneficial effects. Why not try this homemade mask recipe I found over at Organic Authority

Ingredients
1 teaspoon lemon juice (You may substitute grapefruit, orange or another citrus juice, but don’t mix them.)
2 teaspoons honey
6 ounces plain yogurt
1 drop ylang-ylang essential oil (optional)
1/4 cup oatmeal or crushed almonds (optional)

Directions
1. Blend ingredients.
2. Apply to face.
3. Allow to dry.
4. Rinse with warm water.

I came across this DIY tutorial for a Solid Perfume Pocket Watch via Design Sponge. Not a fan of the Pocket watch concept try a locket or pillbox  the possibilities are endless there is so much pretty stuff out there to choose from.

Now on to the cool part……….

You Will Need

• 1 1/2 tsp. jojoba oil (available at whole foods and natural grocery stores)
• 7 drops frankincense essential oil
• 7 drops of ylang ylang essential oil
• 5 drops fresh ginger essential oil
• 6 drops wild sweet orange essential oil
• heaping 1/2 tsp. grated beeswax
• eyedroppers
• small nonmetal pan for melting wax
• shot glass or small cup
• small compact or pillbox for finished perfume

Pop on over to Design Sponge to follow the step by step tutorial complete with pictures just click HERE

***Photo Property Of Design Sponge***

Soy wax is also a favorite of environmentally conscious consumers. Made from American-grown soybeans, it’s biodegradable, a renewable resource, and from a global point of view, it “supports the U.S. economy instead of foreign oil conglomerates.”

Want to know how to make your own Eco – Friendly  Soy Candles. I found these via Amanda over at  Ruffled they are super cute and a great idea to make in stockpile and put away for gifts or to use yourself.

What you’ll need:

- Soy wax flakes (can be purchased in bulk in places like here…or at your local candle supply shop )

- Wick

- Containers. They can be vintage teacups, recycled jars, old tumblers, Depression glass goblets … the possibilities are endless

- Pitcher with spout

- Fragrance oil (I recommend this Etsy store there are so many  to choose from) or essential oils for a more natural approach

- Popsicle sticks, chopsticks, or something to hold the wick (Amanda drilled a hole in the middle of Popsicle sticks, but you can also find readymade ones at candle supply stores)

- Candle dye, optional

- decorations

To follow the step by step tutorial complete with pictures I found over at Ruffled click  HERE 

*** Photo Property Of Ruffled***

Supplies Needed:

1.    Snowflake Clamshell molds

2.   1 pound of clear melt and pour soap base

3.    5 oz white melt and pour soap base

4.   Tropical Red Colorant

5.    Micro Sparkle  Soap Glitter

6.   3/4 oz  Creamy Pomegranate Fragrance Oil

6.    Microwavable measuring cup

7.    Fork

8.    Small amount of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

For an easy to follow step by step tutorial complete with pictures. Head on over to her page and check it out for yourself

Photo Property of How Do I Make Soap

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Sent out all 4 to try for myself firstly I want to say thank you Kai, you brightened my day. Also how fitting are the packaging and label designs . These balms are the perfect size to fit in my handbag even after a hot day did they not melt or leak into my bag which is the first tick of approval. Applying the “Chocolate Kingdom” on a girls night out the second I sat in my friend’s car when she picked me up she said “you smell really nice, what are you wearing” no “hello” just a compliment which leads me to believe that the second you smell it on a person you must like it so much that you are compelled to forgo the usual hello, how are you and skip straight to “you smell really nice” bit because this did not just happen once but every time I wore this particular scent. Upon wearing th Leilani’s Lei stand I  would keep forgetting I’d put it on my wrist and get the most divine whiffs of flowers so much so I keep looking for them, then I remember ……… oh it’s me HA!  Under The Orange Stand  was not just oranges it was more of an orange blossom with a hint of something else that I could not quite put my finger on. Every time I smelt it I would simply smile if I was having a particularly bad day, one whiff and again……I would be smiling. Royal Pikake I have never smelt the flower before, even though I found this particular scent the most powerful upon a sniff it did soften a bit upon application and allow the subtle notes to mix and react on my skin which resulted in a softer scent which made my mouth water. I thought of Jasmine with a hint of vanilla. Overall I love your work Kai & Kalani you certainly did sweeten up my world with your happy perfumes

So Craftgossipers if you are looking for that perfect last-minute stocking filler or would just like some sunshine for yourself pop on over to Maoli and load up.  All orders over $25 receive free shipping. For a great read check out theirblog. Don’t forget to become a fan on FB  and keep up to date with all the  exciting ventures/new projects because it does not stop at perfume balm there is also Lip Balm which in my opinion  if it’s anything like the Perfume Balms it’s a guaranteed  winner!!

Bloom Bake Create REVISED Lavender Goat Milk Soap

Mango Butter (5%) 45 grams

Avocado Butter (5%) 45 grams

Shea Butter (5%) 45 grams

Castor Oil (5%) 45 grams

Coconut Oil (30%) 270 grams

Olive Oil (30%) 270 grams

Palm Oil (20%) 180 grams

goat milk – 342 grams (frozen)

lye – 126 grams

Liquid Silk – 9 grams

1.5 Teaspoons ground lavender buds

2 Tablespoons Lavender Essential Oil

4 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil

This makes 3 lbs of soap or 10 bars. (Bloom Bake Create use a 4 lb mold.) As with any recipe you get off of the internet, please run this through one of the calculators. This is one of her favourites.

To follow a step by step tutorial on how to put all of the above together to get this end result click  here 

Thanks Lynda for sharing

***Photos & Recipes Courtesy of Bloom Bake Create***

My Kit Contained 

5lbs of LL’smagnetic clay

Clear Out Detox Herbal Formula

Ph Testing Strips

A Drain Screen Guard

Instruction Booklet.

Opting  for option 2 using the clay bath guidelines in the instruction booklet  on how much and how often to use. I did my detox once a week over a month and still had some left over for the odd foot bath.LL’s really do think of it all before I had a chance to show the hubster my kit he aired his concerns about it staining the bath, clogging the pipes making me feel unwell etc needless to say all concerns were  quickly put to rest upon inspection on his part of the kit. LL’s had provided everything needed for a smooth ride or should I say bath!! No clogged pipes, no stains on the bath whatsoever ( our pipes are really old too ) After testing my PH ( using the strips provided and my saliva ) I was ok for a full tub rather than just a foot soak. Combining all the dry ingredients and mixing them well I was ready to get started. After prepping my tub ( so easy ) I measured out 1 cup of clay the first time to ease myself into it.( upping the level of clay by half a cup with each consecutive bath) After wet mixing the clay  to ensure no clumps were present ( clumped clay is not as efficient as clay that has been properly hydrated) I gave myself a dry brush down with a loofah then  hopped in and relaxed for 20 mins. The warm water opened up my pores and the clay/botanical mix got to work drawing out impurities, I drank about a litre of water while I was in the bath to keep me hydrated ( personal choice ) Once I got out of the bath I slathered on a natural moisturizer put on my robe  then got acquainted  with a big pot of peppermint tea relaxing on the couch. I had a total of 4 baths over a month and found  I got a slight headache with a hint of nausea, nothing too bad I have had worse headaches from detoxing off sugar! I take headaches as a GOOD sign that the detox is working so I just waited it out rather than popping aspirin. I got a slight pull from my groin to my knee on my right leg I put that down to having a lot of lymph nodes removed last year I am used to it and get it from time to time anyway so I was not put off by it. I massaged my leg towards the heart using Ancient Minerals Topical Magnesium and it went away .  I was a bit tired after each bath as I am a mother of 2 small children run my own business, write blogs am a PTA mum am always busy I was no more tired than usual during my detox. NOW the exciting part I want to share from my personal experience I lost alot of weight this year through diet and exercise. I  was struggling to lose those last 5lbs ……. well what can I say ………. those pesky pounds are now GONE!!!!  I can’t say if it was purely from detox although the only change to my lifestyle was the detox so you have to wonder don’t you. My skin looks fantastic my eyes sparkle, Digestion is at its best ( always had issues there ) I am sleeping better and things have ahem cough “improved” intimacy wise for me ( TMI I know ) I have more energy and as a result feel happier/better about myself and am looking forward to doing it all again after OVERINDULGING this christmas bring it on!!!!! Follow LL’s on FB for up to date sales and promotions. In the meantime if you are stuck for  christmas present ideas, trying to quit smoking, are on the better end of a serious illness, need pepping up or just want to try something different.  Arm yourself with all the tools to do so LL’s is available worldwide  so click here and  start shopping. Check out the Edible Earth Supplements   , Nascent Iodine  as well as the full range of Ancient Minerals Topical Magnesium Products while you are there I swear by the magnesium oil . Big thanks to Ashley from LL’s for posting out all the lovely goodies for me to try