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 By Gonzalo Galavis

Whether your lady is eating, drinking or smothering it on her body, chocolate is always a guaranteed hit come Valentines Day. How about a body scrub for something different. Like this homemade beauty treatment I found via SpaMagazine which combines chocolate, almond oil and nutmeg to create a decadent Valentine’s Day treat for you and your sweetheart to enjoy together

YOU WILL NEED 

• 3 Tbsp. water
• 3 Tbsp. honey
• 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate (100% cacao)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup sweet almond oil
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 2 drops vanilla essential oil (1/8 tsp. vanilla extract may also be substituted)
• 12 grates of nutmeg

Directions:

1. Microwave chocolate, water and honey for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, almond oil, essential oils and nutmeg and blend well.

2. Store in a clean plastic, glass or tin container.

To use: Apply the mixture to damp skin in a warm shower. Scrub gently in circular motions. Rinse. Lightly pat the skin dry and follow with the Champagne Honey Bath.

Look at my hands after applying Anti aging Support Creme can you see how the hand on the left is a lot smoother hydrated even? The veins are not popping out on it at all, it feels so lovely and soft too. As for the other hand it is in dire need of some Abeeco!  In my opinion $38 well spent

I have also started using the Royal Eye Creme  it features Royal Jelly (traditionally known to promote youthful skin) which is  believed to of been a favourite beauty secret of Cleopatra’s. Royal Jelly is one of nature’s most nutritious ingredients. It is fed to the queen bee to extend her life and is packed with 134 nutrients, including 17 amino acids, B-vitamins and vitamins A, C, D and K.  Other key ingredients in Royal Eye Creme  are Jojoba Seed Oil, Manuka Honey, Water, Sweet Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera Extract, Lanolin and Vitamin E. Another good point is I see some eye creams on the market that contain Essential Oils which in my opinion is a big NO NO this eye cream has no essential oils whatsoever. Some eye creams can either be too dense resulting in an oil film over the eye which is quite irritating or just not hydrating enough resulting in tightness.

 This eye cream was not to heavy nor light for the delicate eye area, the balance is just right, I hate it when you use a product and when you blink you can feel exactly where you have applied it which is  not the case when using Royal Eye Creme. $36 for an eye cream in my opinion is pretty good, especially when you only need to apply it sparingly. I am about to turn 32, I have been using an eye cream since I was 12 ( so I know a good one when I use it )  I know a lot of you probably think 12 is too early but I have NO regrets I have amazing looking skin around my eyes I am constantly getting compliments on how my face ( especially around my eyes ) is so smooth and wrinkle free. I credit this to looking after myself ( sunscreen, water, diligent  skincare routine, I cleanse tone and moisturise morning and night. I also religiously wear sunglasses outdoors even on dreary days )  I am sharing a picture of my eye after applying the Royal Eye Creme I am smiling in this pic and you cannot even tell! See there is method to my madness

Want to get your hands on some now I also found that you can purchase Abeeco at a slightly cheaper price over at the BEEVENOMMASK website by clicking HERE  save an additional $23.50 by purchasing The Royal Package  for only $149.50 which consists of a full size Bee Venom Mask, Bee Venom Lip Plumper, Anti aging Support Creme and a Royal Eye Creme. Also check out the PROMOTIONS page some fantastic savings over there too. Go on you deserve the best!!

A big shout out to Jude thank you for sending me out all of the above products for review

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***

Admiring all the different types of water marbled nails out there I had yet to come across someone who was willing to offer up a tutorial on how to do it all by yourself. Then I was contacted by Mixed Mama wanting to share her easy peasy 5 step tutorial on how to achieve the water marbled look yourself. I used to think it was really hard to do but not so…………… To get things started you will need the following

2 shades of nail polish. Use the following 2 shades if you are after nails like the ones in the pic or choose your own.

Essie Mint Candy Apple

Essie Soul Mate

Seche Vite Top Coat

Tape

Q-Tips

Cup of room temperature FILTERED water

Mechanical pencil

Nail polish remover

To follow Mixed Mamas tutorial complete with pictures, hints and tips click HERE

** Photo property of Mixed Mama**

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.

Despite coming from the ocean, sea salt is not a good source of iodine. Iodised salt is perhaps the most common source of iodine in the western diet and can provide enough iodine to avoid low thyroid activity.  However not everyone eats seafood, likes seaweed and then there are those of us who are following low salt diets. Nascent Iodine available from LL’s Magnetic Clay Inc on the other hand is consumable iodine in an atomic form rather than a molecular form. It is a highly bio-available, pure atomic iodine supplement in an energized state. This “charged” state is held by the atom until diluted in water and consumed, whereby it gradually loses energy over a 2-3 hour time span. During this time, Nascent Iodine is recognized by the body as the same iodine that is produced by the thyroid and is absorbed effortlessly by the body.

Reading up on the subject recently. I did not realise that the role of iodine in the body far surpasses what most thought, and is not only necessary for overall health, but a crucial component of the detoxification process. I love trying new things and wasted no time in doing so. The recommended dose is 1-3 drops in a small glass of pure water on an empty stomach up to 3 times a day. To help me keep track of the way my body reacted I kept a diary. I will add that I am on HRT and although I feel pretty good overall some days I am lacking in motivation and  just don’t feel right  suffering from a case of the “fuzzies/forgetfulness” slow reaction times which is quite deflating considering I follow a healthy diet and exercise every day. I didn’t tell anyone what I was up too either I wanted to see if people would notice a “change” in me.

DAY 1.

Taste is different yet not off-putting, tastes like it smells, like Iodine. I have come to realise that if it tastes a bit weird or even gross it is really good for you.

I noticed something stir within me on the first day, I could not quite recognise what it was but I did however feel like something was happening. Almost like the fog in my brain was thinking it may lift at some point. I wanted to start off slow so I only had 3 drops in the morning as I read somewhere if you have it after midday even though it only lasts 3 hours you might still be awake longer than usual.

DAY 3.

I am noticing a definite change in my energy levels. I feel like running even though I am not a runner ha! Rather than running though the house is spotless, dinner is cooked I am on to my 3rd load of washing and it’s only 11am. I am not experiencing and sleep problems and hubby has noticed a change in my overall mood. Still only having 3 drops in the morning and not telling a soul what I am up too.

DAY 5

I have not watched TV in 3 days, not that I watch much to begin with. I have swapped my 12 o’clock lunch break of a salad and Reality TV tapings for a quick bite to eat and more de

cluttering. That’s right de cluttering!!! I had to confess to my husband today what I have been up to in secret while he is getting ready for work he is on to me

DAY 6

Hubby is now starting his day with 3 drops too. My FB status reads like this………. “If anyone asks……..blame it on the Nascent Iodine” to which people are now enquiring what am I talking about. House is still clean and I have run out of things to do, the big pile of washing in the spare room that was out of sight out of mind is now put away. I am happier and more focused. I am even so happy with my results I am giving people 1ml pipette samples to take home and try for themselves.

FAST FORWARD…….I have now been taking Nascent Iodine for roughly 7 weeks now. I started to think the effects “wore off”  it was not so though. I had just gotten used to feeling so good. Having just got back from a 2 week holiday to QLD and deviating from my routine I  forgot to have my Iodine most days. I won’t be making that mistake again. I came home from a rather overindulgent holiday feeling the “fuzziest” unwell I ever have. Not only did the healthy eating go out the window but the exercise ceased. I am now 4 days back into the swing of things and feeling so much better for it. I now believe I was very depleted in my Iodine hence the feeling of so much energy I could burst. After a week or 2 it balanced out and I just felt “normal” with a chaser of motivation/happiness. I will continue to keep taking this for the rest of my life as hubby says “Happy Wife, Happy Life”

Want to get your hands on to some of this yourself Nascent Iodine is available from LL’s Magnetic Clay Inc in 2 sizes 30ml & 120ml you get roughly a 30 week supply in the 30ml if you take it like I did I will gladly pay $1 a week to ensure I feel good. I have done the Clay Bath Detox from them before and loved it, so if you are looking to detox I believe the 2 go hand in hand. Pop on over  to  CraftGossip and enter our Magnetic Clay Bath Detox Kit Giveaway  it closes 0n the 10th January. Follow LL’s on FB 

If you are looking for high quality high potency Iodine order from LL’s ! They also offer some of the highest quality Magnesium Oil, Bentonite Clay and Detoxing Clay Baths I have ever come across. Which is a great resource in today’s toxic world

YOU WILL NEED 

jars

cute scrapbook papers (you’ll only need a tiny bit, roughly 2 coordinating papers per jar)

Mod Podge

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***