Economical Ways to Get Art for Your Home

On a recent post I talked about my trepidation when it comes to hanging art on my still-bare-after-living-here-for-two-years-already-walls. It’s a sad thing.

Justifying the cost of custom framing is hard when I do not own any REAL art. Unless you count these fine art pieces (from my craft room and Andrew’s closet):
Andrew's boat and firetruck from age 5

Self portrait by Elizabeth age 8, I think

As I said, I know precisely what I want on all my blank walls. Take for instance, my dining room. I knew on the two large walls on either side of our entrance from the kitchen I wanted botanical prints. I liked these from Ballard Designs but for the space I was decorating, I needed six prints not four:

But really, I didn't like the $499 price tag. Yes, I would have them for a long time. Yes, I’m sure they were framed nicely. But I KNEW I could do it MUCH cheaper and still have the quality look I envisioned.
Honeysuckle that hangs on my wall (and grows
all along the edge of our woods) - we have lots of it!

I started searching online and came across several websites where you can download vintage prints. I specifically found a whole database of a very old (19th century) botanical book that you could download for free.
German Leaved Spirea (from a botanical book printed in 1829)

My favorite color is red. I knew when I started looking that I wanted several of my prints to have red. I use it throughout my house in the main living spaces. When I started looking and planning I decided, “Wouldn't it be neat to use prints of plants and trees we have on our property?” And that’s what I did!
Passionflower (TN's state wildflower!) from a botanical book printed in 1815

I chose mistletoe, honeysuckle, walnut tree, apple, rose, and fir tree. I downloaded them and had to make some adjustments to print them as an 8x10. I bought frames on sale at Michael’s when 50% off and also did the same for the mats. I did spend a bit on having them professionally printed on fine art paper. I wanted the look that they were the real deal. (Of course I am now broadcasting to the world that they ARE NOT. How ironic?!)

Another way to take images like this and use them is having them printed on canvas (ArtsCow runs sells a lot to do it inexpensively) or to use the picture and do an image transfer on cloth or some other media.

To get you started, here are a few places to with free art like this online:
Biodiversity Heritage Library (This site has a plethora of art; you may be searching for a while!):
Free Vintage Posters
Metropolitan Museum of Art (for personal enjoyment only)

There are also a lot of images by artists on Flickr but I do not know information regarding them and copyright laws so unless you read a release then keep it for personal use.
Dianthus (printed in 1787)

But there’s a Part Two to this story…..

There I was, moving right along. I had completed the hard parts – choosing and buying frames, downloading and editing the images to fit in my frames, and having them printed….but then I had to hang them.

Hanging pictures around my house is not a fun thing when I need to enlist the help of my husband. He’s a CPA and quite technical by nature. Hanging one 8x10 photo could take at least 30 minutes. Putting more than one nail hole in the wall for him is a BIG no-no. I’m all about you can just cover it with the picture but not him. My calculations of how long it would take to hang SIX large framed prints. And the fact that I wanted them spaced perfectly on either side of the corners and opening of the room and I wanted them all the same height and of course they had to be spaced apart from each other exactly. Oh, mama mia! 5 hours? A day? A week including marriage counseling?

Guess what happened? My prints sat. Thankfully, this story does have a happy ending. They only sat on the dining room table for about two weeks. No more. One evening I was feeling inspired to do it. (In fact, I had a vitamin B12 shot that day and was feeling quite spunky.) Wade and Andrew had gone to my mom's to get their hair cut and Elizabeth was with them so I had the house to myself. No interference!

I decided TODAY was the day! I had bought some 3M Command Strips (boy, do I love love love those things!) and got to work. I measured the walls on either side of the door opening, measured the outside width of the frames, decided how far apart I wanted them by laying them on the floor, and found our long level and made it happen. Once I started, I had them ALL hung in THIRTY minutes!!!

It was amazing.

Amazing because they were all straight.

Amazing because they were all evenly spaced.

Amazing because I did it myself without a hammer or nails.
This was from my phone last year right after I finished.
I sent this to a friend because I was so excited!

So the moral of this story is: You CAN get cheap inexpensive art for your home that has meaning and you CAN hang it with ease and no frustrations. (Just maybe get a vitamin B12 shot before you hang it!)

I wanted to close with sharing some more prints I have framed in the same way in our powder room. For these I had them printed on canvas through ArtsCow (link here) when they were having a sale on 8x10 canvas prints (4 for $20). (They are currently having a sale on photo gifts that include canvas prints up to 18x20 for 3 for $25 with free shipping through October 13.) I found these vintage images below through The Graphics Fairy. She has lots of great ideas/projects on her site where she and others have used her images.


Do you have any art you framed yourself for cheap in your home? Share a picture in the comments or on our Facebook page or just tell us about it. Have you used the 3M Command strips for hanging pictures? Do you love them like I do? ;)

Detox Baths

I've often said there's not much that a hot bath and/or chocolate can't cure. I've always loved to soak in the tub. Sometimes I will read a book and sometimes I just sink down and close my eyes. I've been known to fall asleep in the tub, but that's not on purpose, and probably not a great idea. I like to think I look something like this...

Although I've always enjoyed baths, it was only after I started doing research on detoxing, that I realized how good they are for my health. You see, I've always put a cup or so of epson salt in my bath, and in the past year or so I started adding essential oils to my bath. As it turns out, I've been taking detox baths and didn't even know it!

Here's the deal with detoxing. We live in a toxic world. We are bombarded with chemicals everywhere we go. Even if we are going to great lengths to eliminate or reduce toxins in our home, we are exposed everywhere we go. Harsh chemicals used to clean commercial buildings, chemical laden soaps in public restrooms, hydrocarbons in the atmosphere, and herbicides sprayed in parks. Then there is all the insecticides sprayed on our food and VOCs in paints, and the off-gassing of formaldehyde in carpets and furniture.

God designed our bodies to handle and eliminate waste through our liver, kidneys, and other organs, but we are exposed to so many environmental toxins that our bodies struggle to eliminate them effectively. There is no doubt that people are having more and more dysfunction of these vital (as in, you HAVE to have them to LIVE) organs than ever before.

There are a few things we can do to help our bodies eliminate toxins.

1. Drinking water- fresh spring water is ideal, but if that is not an option, drink water that is filtered to reduce the amount of chlorine and other chemicals in the water.
2. Eating clean- this means lots of fruits and vegetables that have high water content. Try to eat organic as much as you can.
3. Detox baths- a couple times a week helps to remove toxins through the skin by sweating. Again, filtered water is preferred. When you get in the hot water your pores open up and whatever is in the water passes through your skin. The point is to reduce toxins, not increase them.

The benefit of a detox bath is that it allows waste to pass through your skin by sweating it out. Apparently sweating can build your immune system because you build white blood cells when your body temperature raises. Who knew?

In addition to allowing waste to pass OUT of your body, you are also taking IN minerals from the salt. Epson salt contains magnesium which in itself helps the body rid itself of toxins and also improves sleep and concentration. It reduces inflammation, regulates enzymes, improves muscle and nerve function, stabilizes blood sugar, and may help or prevent migraines in some people.

I also learned that the addition of bentonite clay to your detox bath is helpful in flushing metals out of your body. I've tried it a couple of times, but will probably add it no more than once a month, just because of the cost of the clay. The clay I like to the best is this one from Amazon. It has really good reviews.
 

In addition to epson salt and (sometimes) bentonite clay, I add 5-10 drops of essential oils to the bath. I like to use lavender because I am usually getting ready for bed and it helps me relax. Eucalyptus and melaleuca are good choices if you have any respiratory issues or just like how it feels to clear your chest and open up your airways. 

Make sure you drink plenty of water before and after your bath. You will be sweating a lot and can get dehydrated. The extra fluids will help to continue flushing toxins out of your body. 

If you have a large tub, use:
 2 cups of epson salt
1 cup bentonite clay (optional)
5-10 drops of essential oil

We've made it through another week friends, and I am looking forward to relaxing a little this weekend. Hopefully I'll find the time for a long soak. 



7 Daily Habits You Should Adopt!

We all know there are things that we SHOULD be doing, that we don’t do. We have plenty of excuses. We don’t have time, we’re too tired, or it is too expensive. I’m the queen of it, so you won’t find any condemnation here.

I have seven easy habits that you can start doing today. Don’t feel like you have to do everything perfectly, just start from where you are and take a couple of steps in the right direction.

1. Drink more water

Everyone knows we should be drinking plenty of water, but not all of us are doing it. You know who you are. “Experts”, (whoever they are) say that we should drink eight 8 oz glasses of water per day. It is nearly impossible for me to get that much water in my body in one day, but I do feel better when I drink more water. Many people stay dehydrated, but all your body systems work better when properly hydrated. Your skin looks better, it helps with digestion, and you have more energy. It helps flush toxins out of your body on a daily basis. 

“Experts” also say it is better to drink from glass than plastic. Glass water bottles can be expensive. You can get some great bottles online for less than you’d pay locally. Be sure to choose one that will fit in your cup holder. Another option that I like is Cuppow that allows you to use a glass canning jar as your cup. Please don't let not having a fancy glass water bottle keep you from drinking. Even drinking from a plastic bottle is better if you're increasing your water intake. 

2. Eat REAL food

Some of you might think I've lost it, but if you eat a lot of highly processed foods, you may not actually be eating food. You've probably heard that you should do the bulk of your grocery shopping around the perimeter of the store. That is where the REAL food is. You will find things like fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese, milk, eggs, and butter.

If you're not sure what qualifies as REAL food, ask yourself these questions. Did this product grow from the ground or on a tree? Was it ever alive? Did it ever swim in an ocean or fly in the air? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then it is food. If the answer is no, put it down and keep moving. Look for items that don't have a list of ingredients, like an apple or a sweet potato. 

If the item you are considering DOES have a list of ingredients, can you pronounce them? Do you know what they are? Here is a good example. You might find a bag of popcorn that says the ingredients are: popcorn, sugar, canola oil, salt. That is real food. If, however, you pick up an item and turn it over to look at the list of ingredients and see this:
Ingredients: WILD CHERRY WATER BEVERAGE WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVOR – WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CITRIC ACID, SUCRALOSE (SPLENDA(R) BRAND SWEETENER), NATURAL FLAVOR. BOLOGNA MADE WITH CHICKEN & PORK – MECHANICALLY SEPARATED CHICKEN, WATER, PORK, CORN SYRUP, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, POTASSIUM LACTATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM DIACETATE, SODIUM ASCORBATE, FLAVOR, SODIUM NITRITE, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SUGAR, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE. PASTEURIZED PREPARED AMERICAN CHEESE PRODUCT – MILK, WHEY, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, MILKFAT, SODIUM CITRATE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SALT, LACTIC ACID, SORBIC ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR), ANNATTO (COLOR), ENZYMES, CHEESE CULTURE, WITH STARCH ADDED FOR SLICE SEPARATION. CONTAINS: MILK. CANDY BAR – CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, GROUND ROASTED PEANUTS, HYDROGENATED PALM KERNEL OIL, COCOA, MOLASSES, AND LESS THAN 1% OF WHEY (FROM MILK), CONFECTIONER’S CORN FLAKES, NONFAT MILK, SALT, LACTIC ACID ESTERS, SOY LECITHIN, SOYBEAN OIL, CORNSTARCH, ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, TBHQ AND CITRIC ACID (ADDED TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS), YELLOW 5, RED 40. CONTAINS: PEANUT, MILK, SOY. CRACKERS – UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), WHOLE GRAIN WHEAT FLOUR, SOYBEAN OIL, SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL, SALT, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), WHEY (FROM MILK), SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL FLAVOR.
THROW IT DOWN AND RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN! What is this stuff? I don't know, but it's NOT FOOD. 

Does that mean you can never buy a package of Oreos? No. You can still have your Oreos or whatever your favorite snack is, but I recommend going with the 80/20 rule. Try to eat real food at least 80% of the time. (It is best if its non-gmo and organic, but don't worry about that yet. Just focus on eating real food.) If you can do better than that, great! But don't feel like you've failed if you eat a cookie. Do the best you can and keep going.

By the way, that list of ingredients was from an Oscar Meyer Lunchables. RUN, don't walk!

3. Exercise

It is a well-established fact that I do not love to exercise. It's not really that I don't like it, I just struggle with the discipline of making it part of my daily life. There is ALWAYS something else that seems more urgent or important and this one gets pushed to the back burner. You don't have to be in training for the Ironman, just get off your onion and move around a little. 

There are several ways to start. I highly recommend finding a friend from work or one who lives in your neighborhood and setting a specific time of day to walk on a regular basis, or find a podcast that you enjoy and listen to it as you walk,or use the time to pray. In addition to walking or running, there are numerous other options. You could find a local Zumba class that meets a couple times a week or a DVD series that allows you to exercise at home. 

Again, you don't have to get crazy with this one. Just find SOMETHING that you enjoy and adjust your schedule to make room for it several times a week, if not daily.

4. Get enough sleep

Now we're talking! Seriously, getting enough sleep is important, but many of us don't get enough. It's simple really. Figure out what time you have to get up and subtract the number of sleep hours you need from that time and GO TO BED at the designated time. Add an extra thirty minutes to allow time to get ready for bed. If you have extensive grooming rituals you might need to start sooner. 

Also, limit caffeine and electronics in the hours before bed to allow you to go to sleep easier. There are other things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep. Sleeping in a dark room is best. Even the light from a bright alarm clock can interfere with your body's sleep patterns. If you are a light sleeper and are bothered by noises, I highly recommend a sound machine that uses white noise to block out background noises. These are great for babies who don't nap well and to use when traveling. I never sleep well in hotels because of the unfamiliar sounds, and this helps to mask them. Consider using lavender essential oil or drinking an herbal tea before bed if falling asleep is difficult for you. 

5. Daily Bible reading

There is something about starting your day with God's word that sets the tone for the whole day. Spending time with the Creator has a way of putting things in perspective. There are multiple ways to approach this. You can find a daily reading plan and go with that, or use a devotional that suggests Scripture passages each day, or you can pray and ask the Lord to direct your time. 

You don't have to spend an hour, or any set amount of time. Even if five minutes is all you have to spare, do that! It will be time well spent. You might want to factor this time in when you are deciding what time to go to bed the night before. 

6. Spend your time wisely

Take a good look at how a typical day is spent for you. How many times do we hear or say "I don't have time for that!" The fact is, we have the exact same amount of time in a day that anyone else does. If your girlfriend "has time" to read her Bible and exercise, but you don't, it's because she has prioritized those things and you haven't. We have time to do the things we REALLY want to do, don't we? It's because we MAKE the time to do them. They are our priority. 

So, if you aren't taking the time to do the things that matter, what ARE  you spending your time on? Maybe we need to turn the television off or log off the computer, or put the phone on the charger and spend time on the things that are actually WORTH our time. (Don't throw the breaker until AFTER you finish reading this post)

Who or what is getting the time and attention it deserves? And who or what is not? I'm stepping on my own toes right now, sister. I might be on a walker tomorrow. I can't tell you where you should be spending your time and energy, but in your heart, you know. For me, its my husband and my children that are sometimes neglected because I get so busy with what is URGENT, that I forget what is IMPORTANT. 

We only get one chance at life, let's agree to not waste it on things that are meaningless and invest in the people that God has put in our lives. In the end, its our relationships that matter. Our relationship with God, and with others. 

7. Finances

FIRST I told you that you can't eat Oreos, and then told you that you need to get off the couch exercise, THEN I made you feel guilty about spending too much time on your phone and not reading your Bible enough. NOW, I will top it off by telling you how to spend your money. I seriously doubt anyone will ever read one of my posts again. But, since you're here now, what the heck. Let's do this.

There is not a one size fits all solution to money issues. Everything is relative. For some people it would be a waste of time for me to tell you how you need to be saving X dollars a month and putting X amount into retirement and don't forget to about your kids' college fund. You have to start now for that. For some of you, paying this month's mortgage or putting gas in your car this week is a challenge. For others of you, talking about how to save $1 on produce by buying the fruit that is in season wouldn't be worth your time. 

So, considering that we are all in different places financially, I just want to encourage you to take a look at where you ARE financially, and where you WANT TO BE and start taking steps to get there. 

There are really only a couple of ways to improve your financial situation. You can either spend LESS money, make MORE money or BOTH. There are hundreds of ways to go about it.

To SPEND LESS, consider the following: 
1.Look at how much you are spending on insurance, and see if there are adjustments you can make to your policy that give you the coverage you NEED, without paying for services you DON'T need. 
2. Contact your cable or satellite provider to see if your monthly bill can be lowered. In the past when I've called to cancel service, they've always offer a reduced rate for the same service. 
3. Barter for services. I plan on writing a whole post on this sometime soon, but you can make a deal with another mom to exchange baby sitting so you can both have a date night with your husbands without breaking the bank. (Sorry babysitters. I'm not trying to put you out of business, its just that some moms can't afford a babysitter AND dinner out at a restaurant. You'll understand one day.) Think about your skills and don't be afraid to ask.
4. Cook meals at home instead of eating out. Yes, it can be expensive to eat healthy, but it doesn't have to be. As Dave Ramsey says, you can have rice and beans or beans and rice. Although a lot of grains aren't ideal for your diet or your waistline, they are definitely a way to stretch a meal and get more for your money. 
5. Make your own coffee. Radical, I know. I don't drink coffee, so its easy for me to laugh at the absurdity of paying $4 for a Pumpkin Spice Latte. However, if you LOVE it, you CAN make your own at home. It looks like a good bit of work, but you might think its worth it. You can find the recipe HERE

To MAKE MORE money, you could:
1. Have a garage sale
2. Sell items on ebay or craigslist.
3. Start a small business performing a service like babysitting or cleaning houses that you can work around your 'day' job. 
4. Make and sell items on Etsy like I do HERE.
5. Get a second job.
6. Consider direct sales.

Most of the things I just shared are things that you've heard before, but if you're like me, it is good to be reminded once in a while. I do hope you will make an effort to improve in one or more of these areas if not all of them. 

Do YOU have suggestions for some healthy habits I should adopt?

Kristy

Easy Mini Fall Wreath

Tomorrow is first day of fall for 2014 also known as the the autumnal equinox. Wanting to share another easy-to-make fall decor project, I knew this mini wreath qualified. (See my previous posts on Painted Burlap Fall Decor and Fall Decorating Tips.)

Its easy, inexpensive features does not mean it is low on charm though. In fact, it is quite the classy little wreath. I have it hanging on a door to my bedroom and enjoy its simple sweetness and the fact that it brings a touch of fall decor to the room.

I wasn't sure how hard it would be to make the fabric rosettes. Reading they were "easy" did not mean a thing. We all know what may be "easy" for one crafter may be confusing or complicated for another. (Can you tell I've experienced this?) They were in fact not hard at all! You will find that the look you get depends on how wide or narrow you cut the strips of fabric, how tightly you twist it (if you do that step), and how compactly you roll it in spirals from the middle to build your fabric rosette. The burlap was a bit more challenging to shape around the middle since it is a stiffer fabric but not too difficult. Just don't start with burlap. ;)

Here is a good tutorial to follow with video: Cherry Street Cottage: Fabric Flower Tutorial - although I want to add that I hot glued mine to felt as I twisted around from the middle. After I had the flower the size I wanted, then I would cut a tight circle in the felt around my flower, and then glue the end of fabric on the underneath on the felt.

And the great thing about this simple DIY is that you can change the whole look depending on the fabric and embellishments you choose (any holiday or season or for every day). Here are a few other ideas to get your creative wheels turning:

Baby shower or nursery theme - Use baby themed flannel and a decorative rattle or baby toy or maybe the baby's initial.

Birthday - The fabric scraps could be in the colors of the party theme or the birthday recipient's favorite colors and include a painted wooden initial as a monogram.

Christmas - Christmas colored fabrics with maybe a few mini ball ornaments or any mini ornaments for an embellishment would look nice. Using a pretty velvet ribbon to hang it would finish off the look. Making several and hanging them on the back of the dining room chairs for your Christmas party would look beautiful. One of these mini wreaths would be a sweet replacement for a bow on special Christmas gifts.

Spring - Instead of the fabric rosettes use small silk flowers and embellish with a miniature bird nest with eggs.

Of course the whole idea can be translated to a regular-sized wreath for your door. That is where I originally got the idea. I had made a bunch of fabric rosettes for door wreaths and had these smaller ones left over.

Speaking of leftover fabric rosettes (aka, fabric flowers), they are precious on headbands, as purse accessories, on pillows, or just pinned to a jacket or blouse. You can find LOTS of tutorials and different variations on Pinterest.

Are your creative juices flowing now? Good!

This wreath took less than 30 minutes to make and was definitely under $5 in supplies to make. The miniature 6" grapevine wreath is around a dollar at the craft stores so if you already have fabric scraps, then you will have a very CHEAP craft DIY!

Do you like making wreaths? Or maybe you prefer to buy them already made? :) Let me know if you try this easy mini fall wreath OR if you have any questions.
P.S. Don't forget to pin this to your fall, wreath, or home decor boards on Pinterest! Quick pin link here!

DIY Makeup Tutorial

Happy Friday everyone! Since this week has been all about skincare, I wanted to wrap things up by sharing with you how you can make your own makeup. WARNING! There are several closeups of my face in this post, including one with NO MAKEUP. Viewer discretion is advised.

 I bet SOME of you are wondering why in the world you would make your own makeup when Maybelline already makes it and you can buy it anywhere. I bet some OTHERS of you wish they'd keep quiet because you already know what I'm going to say.

I'm sorry. I'll only take a minute, but I HAVE to tell them. Imagine me stepping up on my (natural) soap box. Hear ye, Hear ye! Most commercially produced cosmetics contain pthalates, parabens, petroleum, progesterone (yes-the hormone!), and more. Many of these items are known to disrupt normal hormone patterns and/or cause cancer. You have to be extremely diligent to find products that don't contain harmful chemicals... or you can make your own!

There are several upsides to making your own. First, you KNOW for sure what is in it and what is NOT in it. Peace of mind is worth something folks. Second, they can be quite economical.

There are some downsides as well. Some of the products you can buy work better. Sorry folks. Its true. If you need super heavy duty coverage or have special needs for your makeup, it might be hard to make a DIY version that works just as well. BUT, if your needs are pretty basic, like mine are, then I can show you how to mix up your own.

I have been using a popular brand of mineral makeup for... probably ten years now. I have pretty good skin naturally and really just need it to even out my complexion and maybe cover some redness. The brand I've used doesn't contain dyes, fragrances, or binders, but does contain bismuth oxychloride, which can irritate skin. Apparently it is a byproduct of lead and copper processing.

I must confess that I've often wished I had been the one to get the idea of going around and scooping up different colors of dirt and selling it for twenty bucks for .25 ounce.

I searched online and found several recipes. I ended up using a version of THIS one. It was really simple to make. It only took five minutes. I didn't have to purchase anything as I already had most of the ingredients in my kitchen cabinet, and the others from other DIY products.


Ingredients:
1 tbsp arrowroot powder
1 tsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp vitamin E oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
3 drops geranium essential oil

I am fair skinned, so I used more of the lighter ingredients. If you have dark skin you might want to use more cocoa or cinnamon. The cinnamon can be irritating though, so don't use too much if you have sensitive skin. You can play around to get a color that works for you.

First I'll tell you what I like about it. I like knowing what is in it. I like that it is cheap. I will probably add a little zinc oxide for sunscreen in it if I make it in the spring, but with winter coming up, I'll take all the rays of sunshine I can get for the vitamin D.

I like the coverage. I put my 'old' product on the left side of my face, and the new DIY on the right side so I could see the difference. The 'old' one seemed to sit on my skin more and within a short time I could actually see it begin to separate a little bit. The DIY version seemed to absorb into the skin more and you couldn't tell I was wearing anything, but it still seemed to even out the color.

What I didn't like is that I couldn't match the color of my old foundation very well, but once it was on my face, it wasn't a problem.

This is my scary face.

I consider this a success!  I will definitely continue to use it. My old brand cost about $20 and I have less than a buck in this! I plan to reuse the container my other makeup came in though as it has a built in sifter that I like.

Now, for a little BONUS! 

I also made some blush using equal amounts of arrowroot powder and beet root powder. A friend gave me a bag of this a while back to use as a colorant in my homemade lip balm.

This picture shows it beside the mineral makeup that I usually wear. Again, the color was slightly off, but when applied gave a similar look.

If you really want a heavier coverage, you might want to try THIS tutorial. I think I'll try it one day, but I haven't invested in a scale yet so I wasn't ready to chance it. This is me wearing the blush and the foundation.

What is YOUR experience with DIY cosmetics?  Have you make your own eyeliner from the crud in the bottom of your grill or done something else that is radical and awesome??? Tell me all about it in the comments below.

DIY Facial Cleaner (All Natural, Of Course!)

If you read my post on Monday then you know I have started using alternative natural things for my acne. (VISIT HERE TO READ ABOUT MY NATURAL ALTERNATIVE TO ACNE TREATMENT. But hurry back here or we’ll miss you!) A little over a year and a half ago I even started making my own facial cleanser. It worked great and it was almost all natural but not ALL natural.

Some of you may wonder why Kristy and I are so “BIG” into ALL natural. Well, quite simply, it’s natural. If I can avoid it, then I will not put foreign chemicals in or on my body unless there is no alternative. God gave us so many plants (and animals) that provide means to heal and nourish our body. This is something that has become VERY real to me in the last year or so as my body has problems with accepting all the chemicals and fragrances in shampoos and soaps.

Wait a minute. Stop right there. I can hear what you are thinking. (Yes, I have that ability.)

Do not be one of those who tell me you do not have time to make it. Please?

Most of the homemade things I make (deodorant, hand soap, furniture polish, etc) take all of maybe 5 minutes. We all have 5 minutes. And USUALLY what you make in those 5 minutes will last you months. My deodorant usually lasts me 6 months. My furniture polish recipe lasts me probably close to a year.

So there. No “I don’t have time” here, people!! ;)

Back to my almost natural cleaner.... It was natural except it had 1 1/2 tablespoons of “natural” baby wash which when I looked at the bottle said “98.9% natural”. I am not sure of the 19 ingredients which was the 1.1% NOT natural.

After using it for a quite a while and liking it but still not 100% happy with the 1.1% unnatural ingredients, I decided to start researching and find a 100% ALL natural makeup removed THAT WORKED. You know, one that removes all that mascara and powder. I am trying to transition ALL my bath and body and household cleaners to natural ingredients and homemade if I can. (That way I know it really is natural and I can control what is in it. It is usually cheaper too!)

My researching and developing of a recipe got moved up when one of my friends said on Facebook she was in need of new facial cleaner that was gluten free. I told her that I was going to be sharing a recipe for one in the coming month and she said, “Hurry! My poor face hates the stuff I’m using now.” (Hi Amanda!)

Asking my friend and two other friends how they would describe their skin type - oily or normal to dry - I adjusted my recipes specifically for those skin types an gave them all plus my teenage daughter samples to try. I asked them to use it nightly to remove their makeup suggesting they possibly put it in a squirt bottle (you can get those plastic ones in the food supply section at Wal-Mart for 99 cents that are like these) and use cotton balls to apply it or put cotton pads in the jar (like thesebut also available cheaper at Wal-Mart). I also asked them to tell me the HONEST truth of their opinions in a week or two.

Oily Skin Facial Cleanser
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup witch hazel
1/8 cup castor oil
1/8 cup jojoba oil
5 drops melaleuca essential oil
5 drops rosemary essential oil
5 drops peppermint essential oil

Dry to Normal Skin Facial Cleanser
1/4 cup distilled water
1/4 cup witch hazel
1/8 cup grapeseed oil
1/8 cup jojoba oil
5 drops melaleuca essential oil
7 drops lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in a bottle or jar. Apply daily to remove makeup either using cotton balls or putting cotton pads in the jar (mix ingredients before putting in the pads). Shake before using if in a bottle; the water and oils do separate.

Printable recipe here

This is the jojoba oil I recommend. I found castor oil at Wal-Mart in the laxative section but they have it on Amazon, of course. Just use regular, plain witch hazel found with the rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. I have heard there is unscented so if it is still all natural and not much more, then I would go with it.

So what did my friends think? Is that what you’re wondering?;)

Wellllll, it’s time to gush. I was pumped to hear all of them LOVED it. As in this much:
“I absolutely love the facial wash you gave me to use! I have been applying it with a cotton ball and it is very gentle on my skin. I use it to remove my eye makeup and I love the fact it doesn't take much to get it ALL OFF and I don't have to worry about it stinging my eyes!
The oils in the cleaner leave me skin feeling soft, I don't even use a moisturizer with it. I just massage in the oils into my skin. My skin looks healthier and feels good.”

And this one:
“At first I was mixed because I felt like it was messy. It always dripped on my counter and it made greasy swirls, and I felt like I had too much oil on my face if I did it during the day, but when I put the cotton pads in I liked it much better! It is so easy I've actually been using it morning AND evening which I usually don't do. Sometimes in the morning I will have a little residual mascara below my eyes, but it wipes off easily. I do like that it is moisturizing. I haven't been using any other moisturizer.”

Last one:
“I LOVED the way your cleanser made my face feel. I never felt like there was a residue left over after I rinsed. But I was afraid of how oily it felt in my hands. My face is so oily that I have to take blotting tissues to my T zone after lunch because there is so much shine. However, I did notice less oil on my face mid-day after using yours.”
One friend had already asked for the recipe to make more because she was running out. This time she tried it in a foaming dispenser and it’s working well for her. She did add some castile soap to help it foam but said she isn't sure she likes it added because it seems to be drying her skin too much. She is going to play around some more. Another friend wanted to either the recipe to make more for herself and her teenage daughter or offered to buy it from me.

(I noticed when copying and pasting their quotes that they all used CAPS in parts of their review which I LOVE because I like to do it too. ;) Ha ha! Love my buds!)

My reason for the different oils and essential oils has to do with a lot of reading I did. It may sound counterproductive to put oils on your skin, but it really works because these oils are rich in antioxidants and antibacterial properties. Many of the facial washes/cleansers on the market strip your skin of all the sebum. Often this causes your skin to go into emergency mode to produce more. Oil dissolves oil and the castor oil acts as the cleaner carrying away the dirt, makeup, impurities, etc while the other oils are nourishing (jojoba, grapeseed, sweet almond, sunflower seed, apricot kernel, avocado - all these act differently for different skin types). You can even play around with the ratios of oils to find what works best for you.

Notes:
*Use washcloths that have not been washed with fabric softener.
*If you have sensitive skin using microcloths to clean your face may work best as they are less harsh than washcloths.
*Leave your face alone as much as possible – no excessive washing or touching.
*Diet has a LOT to do with your outbreaks. Dairy, sugar, alcohol, and other foods can cause blemishes.
*Sunscreens built into make-up can cause you to breakout. Try buying makeup with the added sunscreen. Health problems because of a lack of Vitamin D is a lot more prevalent than skin problems caused by not wearing a makeup with sunscreen. (Of course avoid prolong periods of time in the sun without protection of a safe zinc oxide sunscreen or a wide-brimmed hat. Zinc oxide sunscreens are a physical barrier instead of a chemical barrier like most sunscreens which gets into your whole body with use.)
*Try washing your face in the morning with oatmeal or raw honey for a gentle exfoliate cleaner.

If you have any questions then please ask! Sharing is caring so please share with family and friends. ;) Let me know if you try it.

DIY Natural Face Scrub

Yesterday we learned about natural ways to prevent and treat acne. We will be talking about skin care ALL this week, because our skin is an important organ that affects our HEALTH and, as women, we also care about it because it affects our APPEARANCE!

I'm always looking for ways to replace the commercial products I purchase with natural ones. In addition to natural, I need them to be effective, EASY to make and CHEAP! I have kids to educate, a house to clean, meals to cook, a business to run, and blog posts to write. I can't spend time every day mixing up concoctions.

One of my personal skin 'issues' is that my skin is dry and has a tendency to flake across my forehead and cheeks. I'll spare you the photo. Over the years I've tried many products that have effectively addressed this issue. Several of them came from the cosmetics counter at department stores or from direct sales companies. They worked, but they certainly weren't cheap OR natural! At this point in my life I can't spend as much on these things as I once did (nor do I WANT to) and even if I could, I REALLY don't want to increase the amount of toxins in my body. Our environment is toxic enough without me dousing myself in chemicals every day.

Several years ago I was prescribed a medication that you applied to your skin. For a couple of days I thought it was cool. I hated taking pills and LOVED the idea of it absorbing right through my skin and not having to swallow a pill... UNTIL I realized that maybe OTHER things passed right through my skin all the time too. Then I turned into a crazy person who started reading labels on EVERYTHING! I read the back of shampoo bottles in the shower, and when I removed my makeup I looked on the back of the bottle and thought "WHAT IS ALL THIS STUFF?" Strangely enough, THIS is what began my journey into natural health and medicine. It doesn't take much research at all, just looking up a couple of ingredients, until you are ready to dump it ALL in the trash!

This does present a problem. WHAT are we going to use to wash our hair, our bodies, for deodorant, for hand soap, for laundry soap, and for MAKEUP! For crying out loud, we HAVE to have MAKEUP! Don't we? I don't know what your mirror looks like in morning, but I consider it a public service to wear a little bit of makeup when I go out.

There is good news! There are NATURAL, EASY, EFFECTIVE, and CHEAP alternatives. We have found fantastic alternatives for ALMOST all of these things, and we're working on the rest.

Today I want to share with you a face scrub that meets ALL of my requirements of natural, easy, effective, and cheap. It seems too good to be true, only it IS true!

When I look back at the facial scrubs I found that worked the BEST, they all had ultra fine particles for the exfoliating part. One that I loved had finely ground walnut shells. Others were home versions of microdermabrasion. When I used cheaper scrubs the exfoliant was a larger particle and less effective. Once, in desperation, I tried to grind walnut shells in a coffee grinder. It was an absolute mess, and didn't do a THING to help with my flaky skin. I may or may not have done the same thing with egg shells. I even bought a very pricey device that uses a diamond tip thingamajig and sucks the dead skin cells off your face. All I got was little round bruises all over my face and neck and the flakes were actually worse.

I bet ya'll wish I could get to the point. I'm trying... there's just SO much I want to say and nobody around here will listen to me. I'm using all my words on you.

When I read about this it was too easy. I didn't think it could possibly work as well as the scrubs I have used in past, but I was WRONG! Don't tell my kids. They think I'm perfect. <insert lightning strike>

Ingredients:
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp coconut oil
1 drop lavender essential oil
1 drop geranium essential oil. 

Mix equal amounts of baking soda and coconut oil in your palm. Maybe a little bit bigger than a pea, but not as big as a marble. After the first time you'll know how much you need. Put that in the palm of your non-dominant hand and then add a drop each of lavender and geranium essential oils. Mix with your finger and apply to your face with your fingertips. I go in circles all around my forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin, avoiding the eye area. I rub what's left down on my neck. Rinse with warm water and you're good to go!  The baking soda is abrasive, but the coconut oil makes it glide so smoothly. The best part is how good your skin feels when you're finished. It is not dry at all! The oil is very nourishing and the essential oils are great for your skin. If you do it at bedtime, you have the added benefit of the lavender which is relaxing and helps many people sleep.

You will not want to do this more than a couple times a week. The rest of the time I use a small amount of coconut oil as a moisturizer.

If you don't use or have any essential oils, you can still use the baking soda and coconut oil. However, don't try do use the baking soda with water instead of an oil. I tried it one night when I didn't have any coconut oil in bathroom and was too lazy to walk to the kitchen to get it. It was much too harsh and irritated my skin. I ended up going to get the oil just to soothe the redness. Learn from my mistake.

You could also experiment with different essential oils that are soothing for you skin.

Other essential oils to try include: 
melaleuca, lavender, geranium, 
roman chamomile, rosemary, ylang ylang, 
marjoram, cypress, cedarwood, 
juniper berry, patchouli, and sandalwood.

I really hope you try this and that it works as well for you as it does for me. 

Kristy

Natural Alternatives for Benzoyl Peroxide (Acne Treatment)

Welcome to my shower.

What you see up there is until about three months ago what I was depending on to keep my face free of zits (or at least keep them under control). I used it for yeeeeears. I’m keeping its identity a secret to protect it. ;)

Want to see what problems it has caused? Look at these sheets…..

Exhibit A.

Exhibit B and C.
(And the two pillowcases of gold/tan are different sets.)


I wondered for years what was causing my sheets to get “bleached” because I rarely then and now never use bleach. It was quite befuddling. Plus, I found that several of my pajama shirts had a similar look.

But then one night it clicked while in the shower washing my face. Light bulb moment!

My facial wash containing 10% benzoyl peroxide was doing the damage. I researched and found sure enough, others had had the same problem. I did not want to keep ruining my sheets. BUT….BUT….BUT….I had to use that chemical to keep my acne in check. Surely, I could find a way to get the benefits but keep my sheets from being damaged.

Turning to my trusty researcher friend, Mr. (or Mrs. – you decide for yourself) Google, I typed in “natural alternative for benzyl peroxide.” Mr. Google did not disappoint. I proceeded to spend several hours over the course of a few weeks reading and researching and have condensed the best I could what I learned.

We must FIRST realize that as with most modern medicine they are designed to TREAT the symptoms not PREVENT the symptoms. We do not get zits, pimples, bumps, or those nasty "underground" cysts for no apparent reason. It could be hormones, diet, certain medications, or just that you need to wash your skin and clean out those pores.

I honestly was not surprised to learn that like almost all the other chemicals in our health and beauty supplies (deodorant, shampoo, make-up, etc), benzoyl peroxide is really BAD for your skin. What I learned was sort of scary.

We are about to get into some technical stuff here so buckle down and put on your thinking caps, you NEED to know this….

Scientific Research
Think about this passage I read:
We share our planet with well over 75,000 different chemicals and at least 5,000 of these identified harmful chemicals are used in the cosmetic industry alone. Why is this so important? Our skin absorbs up to 60% of what it comes in contact with, allowing harmful chemicals to more freely move past the outside layer of the skin. These chemicals can then circulate throughout our bodies damaging our skin and putting us at risk for developing serious health concerns. source
In 1995, the FDA reclassified benzoyl peroxide from a category 1 (safe) to a category 3 (more data needed, safety uncertain). Why? Because they found it was “a tumor promoter” in lab mice and also “has tumor initiation potential.” (Link)
Click on picture above to see larger.
Not many of our readers know this, but I have a significant history of melanoma. I have had five melanomas removed (two just in the last year). I praise the Lord they have been found in early stages not requiring any treatment, but I have some large scars and have to go to Duke twice a year to see a melanoma specialist plus see my local dermatologist twice a year to keep check. So please tell me WHY I would use something that could PROMOTE tumors? No, it does not say “melanoma” but it does not specify what kind of tumors. I want to go with the side of caution in this.

The use of benzoyl peroxide also causes sensitivity to light increasing risks to being sunburned. I also read that it can damage DNA by producing "strand breaks". It can also lead to the formation of free radicals which causes free radical damage (aging of the skin).

The FDA decided in 2010 that even though “genotoxicity, tumor promotion with chemical/ultraviolet initiation, animal carcinogenicity, and photocarcinogenicity, as well as the related epidemiological data” was found with the use of benzoyl peroxide, their group of doctors decided it was still safe to use. Sellers would have specific labeling for distributing benzoyl peroxide which is all in this document but none of the new (and current) labeling say anything about what I cited (i,e., the risks found in their research).

I could go on but I may have lost you and you would rather just skip the specifics and get to the essentials. “Benzoyl Peroxide” will further be referred to as BP to shorten things and because I’m tired of thinking through the word every time I type “benzoyl.”

Natural Substitutes
Before we can decide what a “natural substitute” is for BP, we need to know why it is used. It clears the pores and reduces bacteria count by creating an environment where bacteria cannot survive. It also dries the skin from its sebum production and works as a peeling agent to rid your skin of dead skin. The items I list have these properties (though not all).

Melaleuca (aka, Tea Tree) Essential Oil – I probably did not shock our usual readers when I started with an essential oil. Melaleuca is renowned for its cleansing and rejuvenating
effect on the skin and shares similar properties with BP. Applying a 5 percent tea tree oil solution to the face has been shown to be as effective as applying a 5 percent BP solution, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, this does come with some precautions. Melaleuca can aggravate rosacea and can cause contact dermatitis in some individuals. I suggest mixing essential oils with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or even olive oil) when you first start using them (1:1 ratio) to dilute them.

Lavender Essential Oil – This oil helps soothe irritated skin. It is a wonderful ingredient to add to acne treatment and any natural acne recipes you create. Many use it for its skin healing properties for acne and other scars. It is not as potent as melaleuca essential oil but many may prefer it for its more pleasing smell.

Aloe Vera – This plant’s healing properties have been used for thousands of years. It is one of the few herbal plants that has been used widespread in the cosmetic, food, and pharmaceutical industries. It helps to heal acne and soothe acne-related inflammation, redness, and swelling. More than 75 potentially active constituents have been identified in the plant including vitamins, minerals, saccharides, amino acids, anthraquinones, enzymes, lignin, saponins, and salicylic acids. Salicylic acid is a common acne-fighting ingredient used topically in medications to help fight acne outbreaks. The only precaution I have found for aloe vera is that those who are allergic to plants in the Liliaceae family (garlic, onions, and tulips) should avoid it. For more information read here.

Turmeric Powder – Turmeric powder is naturally antibacterial and is high in antioxidants that slow down cell damage. Turmeric is widely used as a skin exfoliate. Some recipes online suggest mixing with yogurt and a bit of honey or just mix it with a bit of honey and use as a spot treatment. It helps inflammatory skin conditions other than acne such as dry skin, psoriasis and eczema. Another benefit is to reduce pigmentation, even out skin tone and diminish wrinkles. A precaution to using turmeric includes that it can stain your skin temporarily but I have read some use it for a natural self-tanner (if it matches your skin tone).

Calendula – This is an herb that is commonly known as “pot marigold” although it is not a true marigold flower. Its bright orange flowers can be made into tinctures, lotions, and creams so that users can benefit from its immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory properties. Still personally learning about herbs, this is one of the first I have researched because of an herbal magazine subscription I have. Making a simple tea using dried calendula, use it to wash your face. You can find it here which is a fair-trade, organic online store where you can find all kinds of herbs, tinctures, etc. Mountain Rose Herbs
Mountain Rose Herbs. A herbs, health and harmony c

Green Tea – Topical use of green tea reduces sebum production (oily substance that your sebaceous glands secrete). Plus, since it is high in antioxidants – the reason many drink it for their health – it helps with inflammation as well as protects against acne-causing bacteria. Like the calendula, make a tea by adding 2 tablespoons of loose green tea leaves to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and use as a daily wash.

Additional Healthy Treatments For Your Skin:

White Willow Bark – This is another amazing plant I came across when researching for natural acne-fighting substances. It contains 98% salicin (related to salicylic acid as you can maybe tell by the name) will decrease inflammation, increase skin cell turnover, prevent pore clogging, and kill Propionibacterium acnes (which is a relatively slow-growing bacteria that does not require air to grow). White willow bark is high on my list of cool, herbal ingredients I want to buy as I am learning more about natural health and healing. Its use dates back to Hippocrates (400 BC) when patients would be advised to chew on the actual bark to reduce fever and inflammation. Mix it with distilled water and witch hazel to use as a tonic for your acne. (This can also be found at Mountain Rose Herbs.)

Vitamin C – Applying Vitamin C topically to your skin is 20 times more effective than oral ingestion. Once a topical antioxidant is absorbed into the skin, did you know it cannot be washed or rubbed off? Centuries ago, Native Americans made a vitamin C-rich paste out of rose petals to moisten and heal their skin. In fact, cold cream was originally known as “ointment of rose water” because of its two main ingredients: rose oil and rose water.

Other safe and effective ingredients for masks and spot treatments: coconut oil, oatmeal, green clay, sea salt (or Epsom salts – both used in pastes to treat spots), and let us not forget HONEY! Many people use honey on its own as a facial wash because of its naturally antimicrobial and antibiotic properties plus its ability to soothe and heal skin.

Closing
Think on this:
These "natural alternatives are not only safer, they are often more effective. For example, several clinical studies have clearly confirmed that natural Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is more effective than synthetic Vitamin E (dl-alpha tocopherol). That’s because the body only recognizes the natural form; it views the synthetic form as foreign." The same is true for the ingredients used in many acne controlling cleaners you and your teen (and I was) are using. "These are foreign substances to the body and cannot be easily metabolized. The body then accumulates these toxic substances and health problems can occur. Though used as treatments, these toxic ingredients may be the exact cause of your skin irritation, inflammation, or dryness. However, the fact that they can contribute to cancer and other serious illnesses should be more than enough reason to avoid them." (quote)

I want to do what I can to protect myself and my family's health as much as possible even in the case of ZITS. We all live busy lives and we all have only so much money we can spend each month so I know that limits abilities. Our skin is our biggest organ and it absorbs what is put on it and even can absorb some external chemicals and pollutants. Let's make sure we're putting safe ingredients on it. I think with the list I have armed you with above, you can find safe, natural alternatives that you can afford to help fight acne whether it's for you, your spouse, or your child.

A bit of healthy advice I came across in an herbal book the other night:
"If you wouldn't eat it, then don't put it on your skin. That sure eliminates a lot of 'beauty aids'!"

I really enjoyed researching and learning about all this. I started out doing it for my own benefit but knew I had to share it with our readers. I want to know – have any of you experienced the bleached bed linens or clothing from your acne cleaner? Do you use any of these alternatives already for your acne treatment? Or maybe there's one I didn't mention that you use? There are more out there, I know, so tell me your experiences!
For a list of links I used for my reading and research on this post, click here.
 
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