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

Bath – Check, Rose Petals – Check Honey – Check, Bottle of  Champers  ( One bottle for the bath one for you ) – Check  Exotic Oils – Check!!   What am I on about you wonder Click here to find out If you have jets in your bath it’s meant to be even better Goes hand in hand with the “Chocolate & Almond Oil Body Scrub” 

Enjoy

*** Photo Property Of Skip To My Lou***

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***

Obviously this lotion wont get rid of cellulite but team it with a healthy diet, 2 litres plus of water a day and exercise, it may help, who knows. It’s worth a try isn’t it? Worst case scenario you will want to lick your arm or even worse eat it from time to time

Research suggests that caffeine cannot be absorbed through your skin if it’s found in soap check out this DIY Cafe Au Lait Recipe  A caffeinated lotion is a different story as you are rubbing it on your skin not washing it off. So you can probably expect a little pick me up from the use of this product. However, if you’re  caffeine sensitive or “off ” the caffeine for any reason, swap regular coffee for a decaffeinated coffee in your recipe.

You Will Need

Emulsifying Wax

Almond Oil

Coconut Oil

Sunflower Oil

1/2 cup Strongly Brewed Coffee ( use beans not instant that way you can use the left over grounds as a DIY Coffee Body Scrub just add olive oil and voila Coffee Body Scrub )

Essential Oils ( 60 drops per 100ml maximum )  grapefruit essential oil helps to boost digestion, benefits the immune system by helping to clear the lymphatic system, helps with skin problems, and can be used for muscle stiffness, water retention and for bolstering the nervous system. It is also photo toxic and can irritate the skin if exposed to strong sunlight after application so NO sunbaking!!

2-3 Vitamin E Capsules

Glass Jar

Mixing Spoon

I found this recipe via momphotographer  pop over and check out her page for the step by step tutorial complete with pictures.

*According to Esthetician Jennifer Tanner from CancerLynx.com, when coffee is applied topically it redistributes fat cells and helps to prevent cellulite from forming. She goes on to say that it helps to get rid of varicose veins by shrinking and tightening your blood vessels*

*** photo property of MomPhotographer***

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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***